In some countries, many more people are choosing to live alone nowadays than in the past. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

The rise in one-person households can be seen as positive for both personal and broader economic reasons. On an individual level, people who choose to live alone may become more independent and self-reliant than those who live with family members. A young adult who live alone,

for example

, will need to learn to cook, clean, pay bills and manage his or her budget, all of which are valuable life skills; an increase in the number of

such

individuals can certainly be seen as a positive development. From an economic perspective, the trend towards living alone will result in greater demand for housing.

This

is likely to benefit the construction industry, estate agents and a whole host of other companies that rely on homeowners to buy their products or services.

However

, the personal and economic arguments given above can be considered from the opposite angle.

Firstly

, rather than the positive feeling of increased independence, people who live alone may experience feelings of loneliness, isolation and worry. They miss out on the emotional support and daily conversation that family and flatmates can provide, and they must bear the weight of all household bills and responsibilities; in the sense, perhaps the trend towards living alone is a negative one.

Secondly

, from the financial point of view, a rise in demand for housing is li

kely push up p

Suggestion

likely pushes

roperty prices and rents. While

this

may benefit some businesses, the general population, including those who live alone, will be faced with rising living costs. In conclusion, the increase in one-person households will have both beneficial and detrimental effects on individuals and on the economy.