Stats Highlight Independent Couples

New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate that two million UK couples are 'living apart together' - in a regular relationship but living in separate homes. The figures also show an ageing population - with the 85+ age group growing by 30% since 1991 - and a rise in the proportion of Welsh speakers.

Tentative estimates, reported in the Winter issue of Population Trends, suggest that up to four million people under 60 have a regular partner who is living in another household. Demographic studies in Holland, Sweden, Norway, France and Canada have recognised the growth of this type of relationship, but there has been little research in Britain until now.

When full-time students and those who are living with their parents are excluded from the sample, the estimate falls by around half. On this basis, the study says that about three in twenty people aged between 16 and 59 are in a relationship but neither married nor living with their partner.

Population increases
The UK population increased from 57,438,700 in 1991 to 59,834,900 in 2004 - a rise of 4.2%. Increasing life expectancy is reflected in the rise of those over pensionable age. The fastest growth has been in the 85+ age group, which rose 30% to its peak in 2001. The recent small decrease is likely to be short-lived as it reflects the smaller generations born towards the end of the First World War.

The fastest growing regions of England between 1991 and 2004 were London, the South West and the East. The North East was the only region where populations levels fell.

Welsh speakers
During the 1990s, a relative increase in the proportion of people acquiring the ability to speak Welsh compared with those losing it resulted in a net gain in the proportion of Welsh speakers in Wales - rising to 7.4% of the population by 2001. The proportion increased in all age groups apart from the over 65s.

Population Trends 122 (Winter 2005) is available free at www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=6303.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.