Due to demographic trends such as higher rates of women attending university, longer life expectancy for women, and jobs in the service industry, some cities in Europe tend to attract more single women than men.
Riga, Latvia
Latvia’s capital city of Riga has Europe’s highest percentage of women to men at about 126 women for every 100 men. Contributing factors to this major single-women population include Latvia’s high rates of women enrolling in universities, a huge life expectancy gap between genders, and emigration of Latvian men.
Porto, Portugal
Porto ranks among Western Europe’s largest cities with a majority female population of 122.7 women for every 100 men. Porto is home to a major university in the country, as well as a growing service and tourism industry.
Salamanca, Spain
Known throughout the world as a center for higher education, Salamanca has a female majority with 120.6 women for every 100 men. With tens of thousands of female university students attending Spain’s University of Salamanca, this city has a heavy influx of young single female professionals and students fueling an active social life.
Łódź, Poland
Although overshadowed by the capital city of Warsaw, the industrial city of Łódź (once a textile giant) has long had one of Central Europe’s most female-heavy populations. Currently, there are approximately 118.7 adult women for every 100 men living there. The presence of light industry along with schools and hospitals continues to ensure that there are large numbers of women living independently there.
Thessaloniki, Greece
Greece’s multicultural city boasts a substantial female majority of approximately 115 women to every 100 men. Host to Greece’s largest student population, single women fuel Salonica’s cafe culture and arts scene.
Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal’s capital reflects national demographic trends, holding a ratio of roughly 114 women for every 100 men. Lisbon attracts single working women from around Europe due to its high concentration of corporate headquarters, tech hubs, and government positions.
Warsaw, Poland
Warsaw has seen a consistent migration of young women leaving rural communities to attend university and work in corporate positions. Women outnumber men in every category of university degrees earned throughout Poland, which has left Warsaw’s city center populated with hundreds of thousands of single career women.
Budapest, Hungary
Similar to other Eastern European capitals, Budapest has high female life expectancy and urban career developments which result in a majority woman population. Budapest’s public transportation, walkable neighborhoods, and large university settings attract women living independently.
Paris, France
France overall has a relatively balanced ratio, but Paris consistently tops the country in female-only residencies. High housing density, excellent public transportation, and an enormous employment industry centered around fashion, media, and technology have resulted in a large percentage of Parisian women choosing to live on their own well into adulthood.
Stockholm, Sweden
Sweden places a lot of emphasis on being independent and living alone. Because public welfare is dependable, city spaces are safe to be in alone, and women have high career involvement, single occupancy is very common in Stockholm. The city frequently has one of the highest rates of unmarried women living alone in northern Europe.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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