Average HDB household size shrinks further, with 1-person households rising to 1 in 6
While most seniors prefer not to sell and move, more singles living with their families plan to buy their own home
[SINGAPORE] Even as the total number of people living in public housing rises, the average Housing & Development Board (HDB) household size continues to shrink, dipping from 3.1 persons in 2018 to 3.0 in 2023/2024, the HDB’s sample household survey released on Thursday (Nov 27) showed.
The survey, done every five years, showed that the number of Singapore citizens and permanent residents living in HDB flats rose to 3.18 million in 2023, from 3.15 million in 2018.
The increase of about 30,000 was in tandem with a rise in the broader resident population. Department of Statistics data puts the total resident population at 4.15 million in 2023, up by about 160,000 from 3.99 million in 2018.
HDB’s poll findings reveal two distinct demographic shifts that are resulting in changes in demand and supply needs: growing numbers of seniors, and more Singaporeans staying single.
While most seniors prefer not to sell their homes and move, more singles currently living with their families intend to move out and buy their own home, rather than rent or live with someone else, the survey found.
What the latest occupancy trends also reflect is a shift from prioritising families, to gradually opening up the public housing market to accommodate demand from singles.
The share of family-based households fell to 83 per cent in 2023/2024, from 86.6 per cent in 2018. One-person households, on the other hand, rose to 15.6 per cent – about one in six – from 12.6 per cent or one in eight households in 2018.
The proportion of one-person households was 8.4 per cent in 2013, when HDB first relaxed rules to allow eligible singles to buy two-room Build-To-Order flats.
One-person households refer to a person living alone, regardless of marital status.
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Half of those living alone are seniors aged 65 and above. Amid a shifting age profile across all groups, seniors saw the most significant increase, growing from 34.9 per cent in 2013 to 46.3 per cent in 2018, and reaching 49.5 per cent in 2023/2024.
For those aged 35 to 44, the share fell from 12.7 per cent in 2013 to 7.4 per cent in 2018, before edging up to 8.9 per cent in 2023/2024.
The proportion of those aged 45 to 54 living alone dropped from 21.4 per cent in 2013 to 16.7 per cent in 2018, before rising slightly to 17.1 per cent in 2023/2024.
The share of those aged 55 to 64 living alone, meanwhile, fell steadily from 30.2 per cent in 2013 to 27.1 per cent in 2018 and further to 23.9 per cent in 2023/2024.
The senior factor
The median age of HDB residents was about 43 years old in 2023. Reflecting Singapore’s rapidly ageing population, the proportion of seniors aged 65 and above almost doubled to 18.2 per cent of the HDB resident population, from 10.4 per cent a decade ago.
In 2023/24, senior households accounted for about one-third (31 per cent) of HDB households, a larger share than the one-quarter in 2018. Households where the decision-maker is aged 65 and above are categorised as senior households.
Citing comfort and emotional attachment to their homes, most seniors – 85.9 per cent – intended to continue living in their existing flat.
“Even if they required assistance with daily living, most seniors preferred to remain in their own home with caregiving from family members, domestic helpers or professional support,” said HDB.
A small proportion of seniors (14.1 per cent) wanted to move, mainly to rightsize to smaller flats for easier maintenance or unlock the value of their flats for additional income.
Among senior households, 21.5 per cent preferred two-room flats, up from 11.8 per cent in 2018. Three-room units were chosen by 28.8 per cent, while 36.9 per cent opted for four-room or larger flats, down from 45.4 per cent previously.
Rising demand from singles
The survey findings showed that, at present, more than 80 per cent of single occupiers of HDB flats are below 35 years old and live in four-room or bigger sold flats. Most live with their parents or immediate family members. The single occupiers surveyed were aged 21 to 54 years.
Some 80.3 per cent of respondents who are single had no clear intention or plans to get married, with more than six in 10 of this group intending to move.
Among those planning to move, 72.3 per cent intended to buy their own home rather than rent or live with others. Of these prospective buyers, a larger share preferred a new housing unit over a resale one, citing affordability and newer living environments as key factors.
With this demographic growing, the government has expanded public housing options in recent years.
Since October 2024, singles can apply for new two-room Flexi flats in Standard, Plus and Prime projects across Singapore.
A new Family Care Scheme (Proximity) gives singles priority when applying for a new flat to live with or near their parents, while the Family Care Scheme (Joint Balloting) allows parents and singles to jointly apply for two units in the same project.
“We will continue to review our housing policies to meet the housing needs of singles,” said HDB.
Overall homeownership remains high. Of the about 1.1 million households living in HDB flats, more than nine in 10 own their homes.
Some 7,000 households and more than 1,600 single occupiers across all HDB towns and estates were interviewed between October 2023 and April 2024 for the sample household survey.
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