The poverty rate of single-parent households in Luxembourg exceeds that of its European neighbours, according to a STATEC report published Monday.
In 2014, it was found that 44.6% of single-parent households received incomes below the poverty line, whilst for all households with dependent children the poverty rate was set at 22.4%. This rate was significantly higher than that found in neighbouring countries and the euro area average, which stood at 33.8% in 2014.
According to latest figures, single-parent households constitute 3.2% of all households (6,700), 9.0% of households with children and 5.1% of the population, but 13.7% of disadvantaged individuals live in single-parent households, against 3.4% of the non-disadvantaged that live in this type of household.
The 2014 frame of reference has shown that single parenting remains a largely female phenomenon, with a woman representing the person of reference in 82.7% of single-parent households. This has however decreased from 2009, when 89.4% of single-parent households were female. Single-parent households were also predominantly held by the 35-49 age demographic. In 2014, 40% of single people with dependent children were divorced, 14% separated and 40% were never married.
The adult within a single-parent household was found to most commonly work in hotels and catering (7.9% against 5.5% of all households) and health and social work sectors (19.8% against 13.7%). Singles parents were less present in industries such as construction, at 0.8% against 6.8%. In these sectors where people living alone with children were found to be working, wages were found to be lower than the annual average remuneration per employee of €60,000. In the hospitality sector, this wage stood at around €29,300 and in sales, it was €44,000. Compensation in health and social work was higher, at €53,100, albeit still under the overall average.
Graphy by STATEC; EUROSTAT
