Social environment: lone parent households
Estimates vary on the numbers of lone parent households in Scotland. Scottish Household Survey data from 2023 estimates around 22% of households with children in Scotland were classed as single parent households. The figure has varied little in recent years. However, other estimates (using different definitions) from the last published census (2022) were lower, at around 21%. Lone parent households is one of Scottish Government’s six priority family types considered highest risk of experiencing child poverty.
Chart 1 shows the Scottish Household Survey data for 2023 by local authority area. Figures range considerably, from around 9% (Orkney Islands) to around 46% (Renfrewshire).
Please note: If you require the most up-to-date data available, please check the data sources directly as new data may have been published since these data pages were last updated. Although we endeavour to ensure that the data pages are kept up-to-date, there may be a time lag between new data being published and the relevant ScotPHO web pages being updated.
