40 percent of Belgian households will consist of one person by 2070

In 2070, 40% of Belgian households will consist of one person, compared to 35% today. This was shown on Thursday in a prognosis made by the Federal Planning Bureau.

The trend towards more single households can be explained by the ageing population and the consequences of the "baby boom" after World War II.

The number of single-parent families is also increasing. On the other hand, the number of married couples in Belgium will continue to decline, from a share of 39 percent today to only 28 percent in 2070, according to the Planning Bureau.

Whereas Flanders and Wallonia are following more or less the same trend, the situation in Brussels is somewhat different. The population there is younger on average, population growth is somewhat more dynamic and the number of singles, often students or young workers, is fairly stable.

Belgium currently has 5.02 million households and is expected to have more than 5.8 million in 2070. The Planning Bureau notes a stronger growth in the number of households than in the total Belgian population, partly due to the higher number of one-person households.

The Belgian population is expected to increase by 1.3 million people to 12.9 million by 2070.

© BELGA PHOTO YORICK JANSENS