News & Events

Silver Splitters, an episode of Insight on SBS explores the phenomenon of Grey Divorce and the economic challenges it brings particularly for women with, and without children to support them as they age.

Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), reveals that singles spend about 3% more per person on goods and services compared to couples. Compared to couples with children, single parents spend about 19% more per person. While government support mechanisms such as the child care subsidy exist, many single parents find them insufficient, especially if they work irregular hours.

One-person households are expected to reach 35% globally by 2050 but we know surprisingly little about them. Reliable data is essential to ensuring equity for those participating in the singlehood revolution and several leading thinkers have begun mapping the Australian experience. Read more.

We imagine everyone lives with someone, or has someone immediately available in a crisis, consequently single people are overlooked in public policy, especially during pandemics, catastrophic weather events, housing and economic crises.

Whether or not a person has children, the Singlehood Penalty is defined by a person's gender and relationship status.