Number of single-parent families declines as fewer couples split up over money
Single-parent families are on the decline, government statistics show, with experts saying Britain's economic recovery after the 2008 financial crisis has led to fewer couples separating over money disputes.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published its annual families and households survey on Tuesday, analysing trends in living arrangements including families with and without children, those living alone and people in shared accommodation.
Researchers found the number of single-parent families in 2020 – 2,856,000 – was down 2.95 per cent from 2,943,000 in 2010. The number of married couples with children went from 4,701,000 in 2011 to 5,042,000 last year – an increase of 7.2 per cent.
Couples with children who were living together but not married or in a civil partnership also rose from 5.9 per cent of all families in 2010 to 6.5 per cent – 1,040,000 people – last year.
Family lawyers suggested the decrease in single parent families is due to the aftermath of the 2008 recession when family finances improved and, as a result, fewer couples broke up due to arguments over money.
Laura Guillon, a senior associate solicitor at Hall Brown Family Law, said: "When times are tough financially, money can be a source of tension at home and lead to couples breaking up. However, when fortunes recover, money becomes less of a point of conflict and can be a reason to set up home together.
"Doing so amounts to a considerable financial undertaking and is a sign of economic recovery. There's also something of an aspiration quality to marriage for many people, in that it demonstrates stability and commitment. Having said that, couples who may have been exposed to the pressures of the recession arguably seem to enter marriage with their eyes open more than ever before, especially when it comes to their finances."
The data showed that families with one parent made up 14.7 per cent of all families in the UK last year compared to 16.28 per cent in 2010. There were also 2,653,000 cohabiting households without children.
The ONS said: "The number of families and households in the UK has continued to rise in line with the growth of the UK population over the past decade. However, the ways that people live have been changing.
"Married and civil partnered couple families remain the most common family type, but this is a declining trend in the UK as more people choose to live together before, or without, getting married.
"While average household size has remained stable over the last two decades, the proportion of people who live alone has increased and multifamily households, despite making up a very small proportion, has been the fastest growing household type over this period."
