I’ve been tracking the Solo shift. Who will see it next?
In their recent cover story, “The Great Relationship Recession: The Rise of Singlehood is Reshaping the World,” (link but paywalled at the moment). The Economist takes note of the precursors of what I call the Solo Economy: a striking rise in single living that’s transforming work, housing, culture, and markets — in large part due to autonomy, optionality, and adaptation.
For those of us paying attention, this is not new.
Here’s a sample of the work I’ve done to map and explain this seismic shift:
TED Talk: “Stop Telling Single People to Get Married”
Singles aren’t problems to fix — they’re people with distinct needs and untapped potential.
Contagious: “4 Kinds of Singles and How Brands Can Stand Out by Selling to Them”
A breakdown of the diversity within the solo population — and how forward-thinking brands can finally serve them.
LinkedIn: “The Business Case for Singles”
The Solo Economy is not just a social phenomenon. It’s an economic imperative. The market is shifting. Companies are behind.
The Conversation: “Tax Day Highlights the Costs of Single Living”
From taxes to benefits, solos are penalized by systems designed for couples, yet they also have opportunities due to their mobility and optionality.
The Conversation: “Singles’ Day Is a $150B Holiday in China. Here’s Why I Think 11/11 Will Catch On in the U.S.”
A cheeky celebration of singlehood has become the world’s largest shopping event. When will U.S. brands caught up?
LinkedIn: The Solo Economy is Here-Singles’ Day (11/11) Proves It. Solos are designing lives of independence, mobility, and meaning — while institutions cling to outdated assumptions.
The Solo Economy is already redrawing the map of modern life — from co-housing communities and single-friendly travel to caregiving networks built on friendship and financial tools tailored to individuals, not couples.
What was once niche is becoming normative.
As more people choose to live, work, and age independently, the systems around them — from healthcare to housing to public policy — face an evitability: evolve to serve a “family of one, or risk losing relevance.
Glad The Economist is paying attention.
Who’s next?