A demographic and socioeconomic portrait of the singleton population

Welcome to a CEDAR seminar!

Presenting author: Glenn Sandström, Associate Professor/Docent in historical demography, Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, Umeå University and Research Affiliate, Stockholm University Demography Unit (SUDA), Stockholm University, and Research Affiliate, Centre for Demographic and Ageing Research (CEDAR), Umeå University.

Co-author: Anders Brändström, Professor Emeritus in historical demography, Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, Umeå University and Research Affiliate, Stockholm University Demography Unit (SUDA), Stockholm University

Co-author: Johan Junkka, Associate Professor in demography, Centre for Demographic and Ageing Research (CEDAR), Umeå University.

A demographic and socioeconomic portrait of the singleton population in Sweden during the 1930s

Abstract

This study investigates the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of one-person households (OPHs) in 1930s Sweden during the transition from an agrarian to an industrial society. While today 25 % of the adult population lives in an OPH – one of the highest rates globally - only 6% of the population lived alone in 1930. Using the 1930s census, we examine the drivers of OPH living through regression analysis of age, gender, civil status, education, income, occupation, and geographical setting.

Our findings show that socioeconomic status, in terms of education and income, was important for the probability of living alone for both genders, with higher probabilities among the highly educated. However, income affected men and women differently. For women, income had a strong positive effect, while the opposite was true for men, as long as differences in civil status were not accounted for.

The results also show substantial occupational effects that operated independently of education and income. White-collar middle-class professionals engaged in non-manual intellectual work –particularly female teachers– formed the avant-garde in singleton living. The social status in these groups derived primarily from cultural rather than economic capital seems to have been at least as important as economic resources for single living during this period.

By identifying the early adopters of what would become a widespread living arrangement, this study contributes to our understanding of how demographic innovation spreads through society during periods of socioeconomic transformation.

All interested are welcome to participate. If you want to participate digitally, please contact Mojgan Padyab to receive a meeting link.