BACKGROUND
The rise of one-person households in Viet Nam remains poorly documented, in spite of
its significant growth since the 1990s and its relevance to the understanding of social
and demographic change.
OBJECTIVE
We aim to present a systematic analysis of the growing number of one-person
households, interpret recent trends and describe the main characteristics of the
population living alone.
METHODS
Our research is drawn from the 2009 census. Cross-tabulations are followed by
regression analysis modelling of the probability of living alone. A cluster analysis
identifies the profiles of people in one-person households. Finally an in-depth analysis
of the most vulnerable type of one-person households is done.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
Our analysis stresses the heterogeneity of the population living alone, in which we can
identify four distinct profiles. The largest cluster is comprised of elderly widows and
widowers. It arguably constitutes the most fragile population segment, as illustrated by
several health and economic indicators. The second cluster comprises a more
heterogeneous population, but only composed of persons who have not moved during
the last five years. The third and fourth clusters are made up of migrants. Along with
age, marital status tends to be the primary factor explaining the probability of a person
living alone in Viet Nam. However, the rise in one-person households may be as much
related to the gradual changes in marital status, illustrated by delayed marriage, as to the
increase in mobility and the relative weakening of traditional family patterns.