Living Arrangements in a Cross-National Perspective: Trends by Age, Sex, and Time

Huifen Fang , Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Albert Esteve, Centre d'Estudis Demogràfics / Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Juan Galeano, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Based on over 425 million individual records from 102 countries, this study presents a global classification of living arrangements, examining variations by age, sex, and time. We identify thirteen distinct types and document significant regional differences. Europe and North America show relative homogeneity with trends toward nuclear and independent living, while other regions display greater diversity with more prevalent extended arrangements. Two key life stages—young adulthood and old age—exhibit greater diversity and pronounced gender differences. Europe and North America show the lowest diversity and gender differences, while Latin America and the Caribbean display high diversity. Africa has the highest gender differences, while Asia and Oceania reveal convergence between men's and women's living arrangements in midlife. Over time, nuclear arrangements have generally increased, and extended arrangements have declined. However, traditional nuclear families where ego lives with partner and children have decreased in Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania. In Asia and Oceania, this decline is partially offset by rising extended forms, while in Europe and North America, an increase in people living with their partner only is observed. These shifts point to growing household complexity, with Europe and North America trending toward independence and Asia and Oceania displaying both nuclearization and extended family persistence. Our findings challenge global convergence toward nuclear families, highlighting instead rising diversity. Demographic changes like fertility decline and increased longevity will likely reshape family structures further. The decline of traditional extended families may coincide with new forms of extended living and rising solo living—trends requiring continued research.

See paper

 Presented in Session 21. Housing and Living Arrangements