Luxembourg households are moving away from tradition

According to the 2021 census, the structure of households in Luxembourg is changing rapidly. Whereas couples with children used to dominate, they now account for only 31% of the total. Traditions are being replaced by single parents, couples without children and young adults who are living longer with their parents.

A growing proportion of households are headed by foreigners, due to the influx of migrants. Their numbers have increased by 55% over the decade and they are more likely to be raising children: 67.7% of such households include dependents. Among Luxembourgers, however, the figure is only 58.5%.

The average age at which children move away from their parents is also increasing. Social and economic challenges, including high housing costs, favour the persistence of multigenerational households.

The growing popularity of civil unions and the decline in the number of marriages are particularly noticeable among young couples. Only 56.1% of couples aged 30-34 are officially married, down from 75.1% in 2011. Families of same-sex couples, which were legally recognised in 2014, are also becoming increasingly visible: their share has tripled over the past decade.

The cost of housing makes life in cities difficult for families with children. Therefore, such families are more likely to settle in the suburbs, where the share of family households exceeds 38%, while in the capital this figure is only 18.8%. High housing prices also encourage families to live together.

The pandemic has slowed migration and new household formation, especially among young people. However, its impact is temporary and the long-term consequences are still difficult to assess.