Who lives alone? Who lives with a partner?

The percentage of French people living alone rose between 1990 and 2008. The increase was most significant in the 30-59 age group, especially among men. Among men in employment, the categories most often living alone are clerical and manual workers. Farmers are the male category least often living alone, in 1990 as in 2008. But they are not the category most often living in a union. They often share their dwelling with at least one of their two parents. The male categories most often living in partnerships are craft workers and managerial workers/professionals. The situation is very different for women: in 2008 as in 1990, those most often living alone are managerial workers/professionals. However, this is only social category in which the proportion of women living alone has not risen. Under age 40, female managerial workers/professionals are more often living in a union than in 1990. In 2008, female manual workers were the category least likely to be living with a partner, notably because they now comprise a greater percentage of single mothers. Over 40, female managerial workers/professionals are the category least often living in a union. At 40 and over, the proportion of single mothers in the category almost matches the figure for female manual workers.