Turkey single-person households rise to 20.5% of total

A social agenda analysis released by the Saadet Party highlights a significant rise in single-person households in Turkey. Citing data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), the report notes that single-person households reached 5,523,321 in 2025, accounting for 20.5% of all households. This is a notable increase from the 13.9% recorded in 2014.

The report suggests this trend is not merely due to individualization. A significant portion of those living alone are elderly women who have lost their spouses, reflecting an aging population. Other contributing factors include rising marriage ages, increased divorce rates, and economic pressures.

Economic challenges, specifically high housing costs, cost-of-living issues, and job insecurity, are cited as primary reasons why young people are delaying marriage. The party emphasized the vulnerability of elderly citizens living alone regarding health, care, and security, calling for increased social support, home care services, and economic assistance for young families.