In recent years it has become far more normal for people to live alone, particularly in large cities in the developed world. In my opinion, this trend could have both positive and negative consequences in equal measure.
The rise in one-person households can be seen as positive for both personal and broader economic reasons. On an individual level, people who choose to live alone may become more independent and self-reliant than those who live with family members. A young adult who lives alone, for example, will need to learn to cook, clean, pay bills and manage his or her budget, all of which are valuable life skills; an increase in the number of such individuals can certainly be seen as a positive development. From an economic perspective, the trend towards living alone will result in greater demand for housing. This is likely to benefit the construction industry, estate agents and a whole host of other companies that rely on homeowners to buy their products or services.
However, the personal and economic arguments given above can be considered from the opposite angle. Firstly, rather than the positive feeling of increased independence, people who live alone may experience feelings of loneliness, isolation and worry. They miss out on the emotional support and daily conversation that family or flatmates can provide, and they must bear the weight of all household bills and responsibilities; in this sense, perhaps the trend towards living alone is a negative one. Secondly, from the financial point of view, a rise in demand for housing is likely to push up property prices and rents. While this may benefit some businesses, the general population, including those who live alone, will be faced with rising living costs.
In conclusion, the increase in one-person households will have both beneficial and detrimental effects on individuals and on the economy.
In recent years it has become far more normal for
people
to
live
alone
,
particularly
in large cities in the developed world. In my opinion, this trend could have both
positive
and
negative
consequences in equal measure.
The rise in one-person households can be
seen
as
positive
for both personal and broader economic reasons. On an individual level,
people
who
choose to
live
alone
may become more independent and self-reliant than those
who
live
with family members. A young adult
who
lives
alone
,
for example
, will need to learn to cook, clean, pay bills and manage
his or her
budget, all of which are valuable life
skills
; an increase in the number of such individuals can
certainly
be
seen
as a
positive
development. From an economic perspective, the trend towards living
alone
will result in greater demand for housing. This is likely to benefit the construction industry, estate agents and a whole host of other
companies
that rely on homeowners to
buy
their products or services.
However
, the personal and economic arguments
given
above can
be considered
from the opposite angle.
Firstly
,
rather
than the
positive
feeling of increased independence,
people
who
live
alone
may experience feelings of loneliness, isolation and worry. They miss out on the emotional support and daily conversation that family or flatmates can provide, and they
must
bear the weight of all household bills and responsibilities; in this sense, perhaps the trend towards living
alone
is a
negative
one.
Secondly
, from the financial point of view, a rise in demand for housing is likely to push up property prices and rents. While this may benefit
some
businesses, the general population, including those
who
live
alone
, will
be faced
with rising living costs.
In conclusion
, the increase in one-person households will have both beneficial and detrimental effects on individuals and on the economy.