Original version

BBC World Service South Asia

Business Daily

Factual: Money

The daily drama of money and work from the BBC.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Business Daily: Is there a penalty for being single?

Bulletins

Is there a penalty for being single?

12/06/2024 GMT

BBC World Service - Business Daily, Is there a penalty for being single?

We explore whether single people are being given a raw financial deal

We explore whether single people are being given a raw financial deal.

Why does being on your own seem so expensive? 

The number of unmarried, divorced, widowed or unattached people is growing worldwide. But figures suggest it is more financial costly to be single, while couples and families benefit from paying less per person. 

Whether it is the packaging supermarkets use, streaming service tariffs, hotel rooms - you often get a much better deal being coupled-up than not. Governments are in on the act too: offering tax breaks to couples.

In this programme, we take apart the personal finances of singles; hearing from World Service listeners and financial analysts. 

Is it just economies of scale or are we really living in a world that penalises people on their own? And are there any financial advantages to being solo?

(Picture: Senior woman looking concerned, paying bills at home on her laptop. Credit: Getty Images)

Presented and produced by David Reid

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Business Daily

Is there a penalty for being single?

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service South Asia

About BBC World Service