Dramatic changes in the way we live have seen the number of people living alone more than double over the last four decades.

New research from protection specialist LV= reveals the amount of single households in the UK has jumped from 3.8 million in 1974 to around 8.7 million at present.

The biggest rise in solo-dwellers is among the 35 to 44 age group, which now accounts for 1.2 million single households, compared with just 148,000 recorded 40 years ago.

Not only are a greater number of people living alone, the research also suggests people are living alone for longer.

Young adults aged 20 to 30, for instance, can expect to live on their own for a total of 15 years, while those in their 60s and 70s will live alone for 10 years over the course of their lifetime.

LV= attributes this to a combination of longer life expectancies and lifestyle changes such as marrying later and higher divorce rates.

Stephanie McMahon, Head of Research at Strutt & Parker, comments: “This surge in solo-dwellers is something we also identified in our recent Housing Futures research report. By 2023 a total of 41% of total households will be occupied by one person, and three quarters will have no dependent children.

"Solo-dwellers often fall into a housing tribe we refer to as ‘Tumbleweeders’ – people that occupy homes that are too large for their needs. The challenge for the housing industry with Tumbleweeders is to provide suitable solutions to individuals’ housing needs. As a nation of low supply and high demand, we would rather have all homes occupied efficiently where possible.

"In reality, Tumbleweeders have the potential to be one of the greatest limiters of supply, and while being discussed in the social housing arena, their impact upon the wider housing market is not currently being addressed.”

Another worrying implication is that many of the individuals living alone seem to have little or no financial back-up plan should things go wrong.

A person going solo typically forks out £1,826 a year more on housing and utilities than someone living in a couple, even when the single person's council tax discount given to those living alone is taken into account.

These figures show that average single households pay £1,392 more on mortgage and rent compared to someone living in a pair; £294 more on utilities and £140 more on household goods and services.

In total, a single dweller in a residential property will spend around 6% more than someone living in a couple household.

But, despite this bigger outlay, 60% of people living on their own do not have a financial Plan B, such as income protection, that would enable them to fund their lifestyle and pay the bills should they be unable to work.

Some 31% of those that have a financial back-up plan admit they would use their savings if they lost their job.