Singleton lifestyle goes mainstream
Demand for flexible ways of living is growing due to demographic change and increasing urbanization. These new types of housing offer a high degree of individuality, a place of retreat, and – depending on the form – shared space for conversation and socializing.
Switzerland had a total of around 1.37 million single-person households at the end of 20191, equivalent to more than one-third of its total 3.8 million households. The people living alone aren't just young men and older women, as was frequently the case in the past. Due to changing ways of life, people of every age group are now living alone – and often out of choice.
Furthermore, housing needs change with increasing age. Switzerland’s baby-boomer generation will soon be hitting pensionable age. Their share of the population is growing at a disproportionately fast rate in the cities too. Pensioners hope to live independently for as long as possible. As moving into a retirement home is out of the question for many fit seniors, they are looking for more suitable forms of accommodation.
Urban centers are also a major draw for young, well-educated people, who often favor trendy, lifestyle districts of the cities, and move apartments more frequently than seniors.
In Switzerland, people move home almost every four years on average – equivalent to around a million people each year2. And when people move, they may not always want to buy new furniture to match the layout of their new home.