The latest Labour Force Survey provided by the ONS has revealed that there has been a significant increase in the numbers of people in their late 40s to early 60s living on their own ( and increase of a third in a decade). A number of reasons are given for this. One is that this may just be the baby boom of earlier years working its way through the population, another to do with the increase in the break-up of relationships.
A survey a few years ago also showed that there was an increase in the concept of "living apart together" where two people with some life experience behind them opted to be in an established relationship but did not actually commit to living togteher.
The BBC Radio 4 programme raised the issue that as these people get into their older ages then they may become more socially excluded and more vulnerable. While they may be relatively well-off financially compared to other younger generations, their "social wealth" could be severely impacted. It will be interesting to see whether single people chose to continue working for longer because they need and appreciate the social contact which work can provide. Whether employers can use the "social wealth" angle to attract and retain talent of all ages only remains to be seen.?