Single parenthood in the EU is increasing sharply

Date: 01/10/1998

with lone parent families accounting for 14&percent; of the total in 1996 compared to just 9&percent; in 1983, the EU's statistical agency Eurostat said this week. The UK easily tops the Union's single parenthood league, with 23&percent; of all families with dependent children headed by a single adult, followed by Finland with 17&percent;. Greece and Spain are at the other end of the spectrum, with just 7&percent; and 8&percent; respectively. With a jump of 94&percent;, the UK also showed by far the largest increase in single parenthood over the 13-year period covered.