- Norway tops the list of the most expensive European countries for individuals living alone, with a €2,100 gap in disposable income between a single person and a family of four.
- The Netherlands stands out with the lowest disposable income for a single person, at just €391.
- In second place, Luxembourg has the highest cost of living, requiring singles to spend €2,100 monthly.
With 93% of Europeans expressing serious concerns about the cost of living crisis and the number of single-person households having increased by 21%, the financial challenges of living alone have become increasingly apparent across Europe. A recent study by Casinova analyzed the cost of living across Europe to identify the most expensive countries for single people. The research compared over 25 countries across key areas such as net income, cost of living, and disposable income. By contrasting the life of a single person with that of an average family of four, the study calculated the “financial singles’ gap,” highlighting the countries where it is more expensive to live alone.
Here is the summary of the findings:
| Country | Monthly Cost of Living (One-Person Household) (€) | Monthly Net Income (One-Person Household) (€) | Monthly Disposable Income (One-Person Household) (€) | Monthly Disposable Income (Four-Person Household) (€) | Financial ‘Singles’ Gap (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norway | 1,797.68 | 3,015.00 | 1,217.32 | 3,324.09 | 2,106.77 |
| Luxembourg | 2,168.44 | 4,837.08 | 2,668.64 | 4,701.43 | 2,032.78 |
| Finland | 1,399.32 | 2,092.58 | 693.26 | 2,592.89 | 1,899.62 |
| Belgium | 1,405.76 | 2,266.00 | 860.24 | 2,670.69 | 1,810.45 |
| Denmark | 1,751.68 | 2,544.92 | 793.24 | 2,550.60 | 1,757.36 |
| Sweden | 1,416.80 | 1,970.25 | 553.45 | 2,044.17 | 1,490.72 |
| Netherlands | 1,899.80 | 2,291.17 | 391.37 | 1,853.93 | 1,462.57 |
| Germany | 1,472.92 | 2,194.67 | 721.75 | 2,056.03 | 1,334.29 |
| Austria | 1,592.52 | 2,759.17 | 1,166.65 | 2,477.28 | 1,310.63 |
| France | 1,418.64 | 2,153.58 | 734.94 | 1,812.85 | 1,077.90 |
Norway
Norway is the most expensive European country for single people, with the largest financial gap between a single person and a family of four, at €2,106. A family in Norway has an average disposable income of €3,200, while singles have only €1,200. The cost of living in Norway is also high, at €1,700.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg ranks as the second most expensive European country for singles, with a financial gap of €2,032. The country is distinguished by the highest cost of living for single people, which stands at €2,100. Disposable income for singles here is more than double that in Norway, but a significant gap still exists between living as a single person and as a family.
Finland
In third place is Finland, with a disposable income gap of €1,899. Of the top 10, Finland has the most affordable cost of living, but it still amounts to nearly €1,400, placing a financial burden on singles. Compared to Norway or Luxembourg, singles in Finland have a very low disposable income of only €693.
Belgium
Belgium takes fourth place with a gap of €1,810. The cost of living here is slightly higher than in Finland, but net incomes are also higher, allowing singles to save more. The average disposable income for a single person in Belgium is €860.
Denmark
Denmark is fifth among the most expensive European countries for singles, with a €1,757 gap in disposable income between singles and average families. The cost of living here is similarly high to Norway, averaging €1,700, but salaries are significantly lower, leaving singles with only €793 in disposable income.
Sweden
Sweden ranks sixth with a financial gap of €1,490. The country stands out for having the lowest salaries on the list; the net income of single people in Sweden is just €1,900, which is 1.5 times lower than in Norway.
Netherlands
The Netherlands follows closely in seventh place with a financial gap of €1,462. Singles in the Netherlands have the lowest disposable income in the ranking, at just €391, making it difficult to save money alone. At the same time, the disposable income of a family of four averages €1,800, making it easier for families to build savings or emergency funds.
Germany
In eighth place is Germany, with a gap of €1,334. Compared to other countries on the list, the cost of living here is more affordable at €1,400, but it leaves singles with a low disposable income of €721, which is less than in Denmark or Belgium.
Austria
Austria is ninth, showing a financial gap of €1,310 between the disposable incomes of singles and families. The country offers singles high earnings of €2,700 and the third-largest disposable income. Meanwhile, a family of four has significantly higher savings, with a total of €2,400 per month.
France
France rounds out the ranking of the ten most expensive European countries for singles, with a financial gap of €1,077. Singles in France have a disposable income similar to that in Germany, averaging €734, but here it is slightly more difficult for families to save money, as their disposable income of €1,800 is the lowest in the ranking.
A spokesperson from Casinova commented on the study:
“Living alone often comes with a significant financial penalty, as many essential household expenses like rent, utilities, and groceries do not decrease proportionally for single-person households. While families benefit from shared costs and incomes, singles typically face higher per-capita expenses for necessities, which makes them more vulnerable during times of economic uncertainty and complicates their ability to achieve financial stability.”
