The most common type of household in the ECE region is a couple, with or without children. In general, between 50 and 60 per cent of all households are of this type. The diversification of lifestyles in the ECE region, such as an increased rate of cohabitation in many countries, childbearing outside wedlock, increased rates of divorce and separation, decreased rates of remarriage, affects women and men differently. The number of one-person households has increased, and the majority of these is headed by women. Some of the reasons for this is that men are more likely than women to remarry, and women generally live longer than men. However, in the group aged below 30, there are usually more men living alone.

 Lone-parent families, originating from separation and divorce, but also from births to single women, and in very small part from widowhood, have become increasingly common in all countries of the region. In case of divorce, women are in most countries, more likely to receive custody over the children, than are men. Women, who tend to be poorer than lone-fathers and mothers living with a partner, head a large majority of lone-parent households. This is important because of the relative disadvantage women face when they become the sole financial supporter of the household, because of their scarce access to economic resources, limited child care, and employment opportunities in society. Furthermore, lone mothers who have never been married tend to be more financially insecure and at risk for poverty than those who are divorced.

 Examples of policies in the region:
Canada: Social programmes for vulnerable groups