The three series are based on varying assumptions about trends in living arrangements. In Series A the pattern of living arrangements of individuals is the same as in 1996. Thus any difference between the number of people living alone in 1996 and 2021 in Series A is solely a result of the change in the size and age structure of the projected population. In Series B and C, recent trends in the patterns of living arrangements are incorporated into the projections. In Series C the rate of change experienced between 1986 and 1996 is applied in full throughout the projection period.
More women live alone than men although the age profile of lone women differs from that of lone men.
For women, living alone peaks in the older age groups. The three series also differ in terms of the proportion of younger women who live alone. In Series A, the ageing and increasing size of the projected population is likely to push the peak age group for lone men to between 60 and 64 years. Series B and C show an increasing trend for men to live alone in most age groups. Like Series A the largest increases are projected to occur in the older age groups, particularly among men aged 60-69.