Relationship milestones, once viewed as private and personal, are now major factors in how Australians form households, choose homes and connect with neighbourhoods. With marriage rates declining, people delaying long-term commitment and more choosing to live alone, the market must adapt with greater flexibility and understanding.
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released in July 2024 highlights these shifts. There were 120,800 marriages registered this year, a minor increase although part of a continuing long-term decline. The most notable changes relate to timing and intention. Couples now typically marry later, with average ages for first-time marriage at 32.8 for men and 31.2 for women. Many also live together before marrying, reflecting a broader move toward flexible life planning.
Although divorces have fallen overall, with 47,200 granted in 2024 (a 3% drop from last year and the lowest rate in 50 years), separation is growing among older Australians. The median age for divorce is now in the mid-40s, and many marriages last over a decade before ending. These later-life separations, often referred to as “grey divorces,” have financial and housing effects, frequently leading to moves into smaller or easier-to-maintain homes.
These relationship changes are influencing housing demand in different ways. Young adults are renting or sharing homes for longer periods, increasing demand for affordable one-bedroom apartments and co-living options near employment and transport. On the other hand, couples who do marry often move directly into larger properties, generally in outer suburbs where schools and community infrastructure support long-term family living.
While divorce is less common overall, it still leads to the need for new housing. One household becomes two, often with tighter budgets. This increases demand for flats, rentals and flexible homes suited to co-parenting or living alone. Older divorcées often avoid age-specific housing and instead prefer well-positioned townhouses or lifestyle apartments.
Government forecasts suggest the number of single-person households will rise by 44% between 2021 and 2046, reaching 3.79 million. Female-led single-parent families are set to grow from 925,000 to 1.27 million over the same period. These groups need affordable housing in areas with access to schools, jobs and essential services.
Mental health is also a factor. Research shows that people not in relationships are more likely to have long-term health issues, with reduced support networks and financial stress contributing. This creates added demand for housing that promotes wellbeing, through features like green public areas, nearby healthcare and walkable communities.
The commercial property market must also take note. Single adults and separated parents drive local economies by needing practical day-to-day services within reach, such as gyms, medical clinics, cafes and co-working spaces. Smaller retail spaces and adaptable office setups are becoming more popular in response to evolving household structures.
By 2046, Australia will have around 13.7 million households, but their makeup will look very different from the past. The nuclear family is no longer the main model. Developers and urban planners will need to support a range of arrangements, from multigenerational homes to shared spaces and adaptable dwellings that suit people at different stages of life.
Relationship changes may happen quietly, but they influence cities and communities in clear and wide-ranging ways. For the property sector, love, separation and independence are not just personal matters, they help shape how Australians live, move and find a place to call home.
