Countries With the Lowest Single-parent Households
Every country with a figure for single-parent households, ranked from lowest to highest. The top three are Brunei Darussalam (0%), Iran, Islamic Rep. (0%) and Monaco (0%). The middle country of the 156 has 9.13%.
What this measures
Share of single-parent households, in % of households. Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. For this measure, no agreed better direction.
Households made up of one parent and that parent's children, of any age, and nobody else. A lone parent living with the grandparents is counted as an extended family instead. So this understates single parenthood most where several generations live together. It is the one worldwide series: about 180 countries, but each with only one to three readings. The readings are gathered from household surveys (DHS and MICS), census records and UN Demographic Yearbook tables, which sort households differently. So a jump within a country is as likely to be a change of source as a change in families. Few readings come after 2019. No "better" direction is set: it describes how people live, not a score.
The full ranking
Each country’s latest figure, from 2010–2021. The year beside each value says when it was measured.
| Rank | Country | Single-parent households | Year | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brunei Darussalam | 0% | 2011 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 2 | Iran, Islamic Rep. | 0% | 2011 | Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan |
| 3 | Monaco | 0% | 2016 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 4 | Singapore | 0% | 2020 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 5 | Afghanistan | 0.99% | 2015 | Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan |
| 6 | Qatar | 1.45% | 2012 | Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan |
| 7 | Burkina Faso | 4.27% | 2014 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 8 | Yemen, Rep. | 4.29% | 2013 | Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan |
| 9 | Tuvalu | 4.33% | 2019 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 10 | Iraq | 4.34% | 2018 | Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan |
| 11 | Guinea | 4.41% | 2021 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 12 | Lithuania | 4.53% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 13 | Samoa | 4.55% | 2019 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 14 | Kiribati | 4.58% | 2018 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 15 | Guinea-Bissau | 4.76% | 2018 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 16 | Bhutan | 4.91% | 2010 | South Asia |
| 17 | Gambia, The | 4.97% | 2020 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 18 | Lao PDR | 5.06% | 2017 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 19 | Kosovo | 5.6% | 2019 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 20 | Indonesia | 5.64% | 2017 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 21 | West Bank and Gaza | 5.64% | 2019 | Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan |
| 22 | Fiji | 5.8% | 2014 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 23 | Bangladesh | 5.95% | 2019 | South Asia |
| 24 | Cambodia | 6% | 2014 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 25 | Cote d'Ivoire | 6.1% | 2016 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 26 | Senegal | 6.12% | 2017 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 27 | Cyprus | 6.16% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 28 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 6.27% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 29 | Tajikistan | 6.4% | 2017 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 30 | Pakistan | 6.43% | 2013 | Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan |
| 31 | Albania | 6.53% | 2017 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 32 | Algeria | 6.65% | 2018 | Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan |
| 33 | Finland | 6.68% | 2010 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 34 | Bulgaria | 6.98% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 35 | Tonga | 6.99% | 2019 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 36 | North Macedonia | 7.01% | 2018 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 37 | Egypt, Arab Rep. | 7.09% | 2014 | Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan |
| 38 | Thailand | 7.1% | 2019 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 39 | Sierra Leone | 7.2% | 2019 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 40 | India | 7.22% | 2020 | South Asia |
| 41 | Viet Nam | 7.25% | 2020 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 42 | Morocco | 7.28% | 2014 | Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan |
| 43 | Tanzania | 7.3% | 2015 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 44 | Germany | 7.33% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 45 | Armenia | 7.37% | 2016 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 46 | Turkmenistan | 7.56% | 2019 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 47 | Liechtenstein | 7.57% | 2015 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 48 | Jordan | 7.64% | 2017 | Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan |
| 49 | Sudan | 7.72% | 2014 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 50 | Philippines | 7.93% | 2017 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 51 | Luxembourg | 7.97% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 52 | Mongolia | 7.98% | 2018 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 53 | Greece | 8.15% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 54 | Serbia | 8.15% | 2019 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 55 | New Zealand | 8.22% | 2018 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 56 | Timor-Leste | 8.22% | 2016 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 57 | Mali | 8.23% | 2018 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 58 | Kyrgyz Republic | 8.33% | 2018 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 59 | Montenegro | 8.36% | 2018 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 60 | Norway | 8.38% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 61 | Romania | 8.38% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 62 | Namibia | 8.41% | 2013 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 63 | Niger | 8.5% | 2012 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 64 | Myanmar | 8.52% | 2016 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 65 | Tunisia | 8.52% | 2018 | Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan |
| 66 | France | 8.57% | 2015 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 67 | Gabon | 8.63% | 2012 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 68 | Cameroon | 8.7% | 2018 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 69 | Austria | 8.84% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 70 | Canada | 8.85% | 2016 | North America |
| 71 | Georgia | 8.85% | 2018 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 72 | Japan | 8.9% | 2015 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 73 | Comoros | 8.93% | 2012 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 74 | Macao SAR, China | 9% | 2016 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 75 | Central African Republic | 9.01% | 2018 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 76 | Portugal | 9.01% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 77 | Maldives | 9.03% | 2017 | South Asia |
| 78 | Ethiopia | 9.05% | 2019 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 79 | United States | 9.13% | 2015 | North America |
| 80 | Congo, Rep. | 9.17% | 2014 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 81 | Belgium | 9.18% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 82 | Malta | 9.28% | 2011 | Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan |
| 83 | Nigeria | 9.3% | 2018 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 84 | Paraguay | 9.31% | 2016 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 85 | Spain | 9.36% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 86 | Uruguay | 9.48% | 2012 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 87 | Madagascar | 9.53% | 2018 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 88 | Kazakhstan | 9.63% | 2015 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 89 | Zambia | 9.64% | 2018 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 90 | Korea, Rep. | 9.73% | 2020 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 91 | Ireland | 9.74% | 2016 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 92 | Italy | 9.91% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 93 | Australia | 9.93% | 2016 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 94 | Liberia | 9.93% | 2019 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 95 | Ukraine | 10% | 2012 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 96 | Croatia | 10% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 97 | Mexico | 10.2% | 2015 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 98 | Czechia | 10.3% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 99 | Bermuda | 10.4% | 2016 | North America |
| 100 | Moldova | 10.4% | 2014 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 101 | Brazil | 10.5% | 2010 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 102 | Slovak Republic | 10.5% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 103 | Chad | 10.6% | 2019 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 104 | Benin | 10.7% | 2018 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 105 | United Kingdom | 10.7% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 106 | Lesotho | 11% | 2018 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 107 | Hungary | 11.1% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 108 | Chile | 11.1% | 2017 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 109 | Nepal | 11.3% | 2019 | South Asia |
| 110 | Suriname | 11.3% | 2018 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 111 | Uganda | 11.3% | 2019 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 112 | Poland | 11.4% | 2011 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 113 | Panama | 11.5% | 2013 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 114 | Aruba | 11.5% | 2010 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 115 | Russian Federation | 11.5% | 2010 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 116 | Mozambique | 11.6% | 2018 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 117 | South Africa | 11.6% | 2016 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 118 | El Salvador | 11.7% | 2014 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 119 | Cuba | 11.7% | 2019 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 120 | Togo | 11.8% | 2017 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 121 | Hong Kong SAR, China | 11.9% | 2016 | East Asia & Pacific |
| 122 | Guyana | 11.9% | 2019 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 123 | Kenya | 12.4% | 2020 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 124 | Guatemala | 12.6% | 2015 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 125 | Belize | 12.6% | 2015 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 126 | Haiti | 12.7% | 2017 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 127 | Colombia | 12.7% | 2015 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 128 | Bahamas, The | 12.9% | 2010 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 129 | Eswatini | 12.9% | 2014 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 130 | Zimbabwe | 13% | 2019 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 131 | Honduras | 13.1% | 2019 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 132 | Slovenia | 13.2% | 2015 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 133 | Angola | 13.4% | 2016 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 134 | Argentina | 13.4% | 2019 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 135 | Ghana | 13.4% | 2019 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 136 | Peru | 13.7% | 2017 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 137 | Turks and Caicos Islands | 13.8% | 2019 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 138 | Congo, Dem. Rep. | 13.8% | 2017 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 139 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 13.9% | 2011 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 140 | Belarus | 14.1% | 2019 | Europe & Central Asia |
| 141 | Rwanda | 14.5% | 2020 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 142 | Malawi | 14.7% | 2019 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 143 | South Sudan | 14.7% | 2010 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 144 | Burundi | 14.8% | 2016 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 145 | Dominican Republic | 15% | 2019 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 146 | St. Lucia | 15% | 2012 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 147 | Mauritania | 15.3% | 2015 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 148 | Costa Rica | 15.7% | 2018 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 149 | Sao Tome and Principe | 15.7% | 2019 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 150 | Sint Maarten (Dutch part) | 16.1% | 2011 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 151 | Jamaica | 16.2% | 2011 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 152 | Puerto Rico (US) | 16.3% | 2010 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 153 | Barbados | 16.3% | 2012 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 154 | Bolivia | 16.7% | 2012 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 155 | St. Martin (French part) | 21.1% | 2015 | Latin America & Caribbean |
| 156 | Latvia | 22.1% | 2021 | Europe & Central Asia |
More on single-parent households
- Countries With the Highest Single-parent Households
- Single-parent households by country: trend over time and what it goes with
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A ranking describes countries, not the people in them, and a high or low place does not by itself say why. All country rankings.