Women living the bachelor life better than men

Men who live alone are more likely to suffer social problems than women according to a study by University of Edinburgh researchers.

In recent years, there has been an increasing trend in the proportion of those choosing to live alone. Over two years, the research team assessed the living standards of 140 men and women, aged between 25 and 44, who live alone.

Professor Lynn Jamieson, who led the research at the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships, said: "With the predicted increase in the proportion of one-person households there are implications for a range of social provision such as income support, pensions, health and housing."

The new research has shown a stark contrast between how living alone affects women and men.

Men are more likely to suffer from financial and health difficulties, they are also more likely to feel isolated and socially outcast than women.

Women living alone tend to be educated to a higher level and in professional jobs whereas almost a third of men living alone are in jobs earning less than £10,000 a year.

However, the majority of those living alone were found to have rich social networks aided by strong friendships, social networking sites and ties to their local neighbourhood. Half of the women and a third of the men taking part in the study were in long-term relationships with both partners choosing to live separately.

Living alone can have a severe impact on the mental health of those with long working hours, health problems or limited disposable incomes, which according to the study is more often men.

The research, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, focused specifically on living standards and how living alone can cause disadvantages both in terms of income and housing. Men living alone are particularly stigmatised in the housing market.

Single people, bar those in need, are more likely to find it difficult to find social housing when they are not seen as a priority by the government.

The general registrar office for Scotland has predicted a rise in single households to 44 percent by 2031. With this rise there will be increased pressure on the housing markets and those on lower incomes will begin to miss out.