Women living alone : evaluation of their specific difficulties

Demographic and social changes in the European Union in the last decades have led to a significant increase in the number of single households and in women living alone. Modern welfare systems only partially respond to the needs of women living alone. Across Europe the different welfare systems have different impacts on the female condition, not only in relation to the reduction in gender gaps, but also in relation to services and provisions needed when living alone, especially as single mothers or as elderly women. This study presents the specific difficulties of women over 25 years of age living alone in the European countries, highlighting national differences in the incidence and main characteristics of women living alone, and analyses the policies adopted to support their economic and living conditions, focusing on pension and assistance schemes and providing examples of good practices and policy recommendations.