Home alone: solo living pathways, everyday experiences and policy implications for sharing and sustainability

Abstract

The rise of solo living presents significant social and environmental challenges, particularly in high-income countries like Denmark where nearly half of households are single occupancy. This study explores the social dynamics driving the trend towards living alone through in-depth interviews with 23 individuals living alone in Denmark. Pathways to solo living include urban relocation, aging out of shared housing, empty nests and solitude-seeking. Gender differences emerge, with women viewing solo living as emancipatory, while men express more stigma. Many participants experience loneliness and lower social capital. Notably, many solos live alone unintentionally and are open to future shared living. These findings suggest potential for policy interventions to promote shared living as a promising approach for reducing carbon footprints while enhancing social wellbeing.