“The number of singles in society is rising. In the US, 38% of adults between 25 and 54 are single, compared to 29% in 1990. A similar trend is found in the UK, South Korea and Japan. More people prioritize making a career and gaining financial stability over finding a romantic partner. Besides, many willingly decide to live a single life.”
That was the intro of a small blogpost about the disadvantages of being single at work we wrote nearly a year ago. But now that economic times are rough, the cost of being single becomes even more apparent in most societies. A recent NOS article explored the downsides in the Netherlands where, according to a range of political parties, “society is still very much built around the norm of marriage”.
Single people generally have a much harder time buying or renting a house, and don’t enjoy the same fiscal benefits as couples do. Municipality taxes get relatively cheaper per person if you live with someone else. But also small things, such as sharing streaming services, delivery fees on food, or food packages that are too big—it adds up quickly.
So in times where one-person households are growing, you should be aware that single people are paying the price financially, while also noticing the downside at work as well. All the more reason to consider if your products and services are single-proof?
