GingerBread | Fact File

In Northern Ireland there are nearly 92,000 lone parents with 150,000 children.

Between 20% and 25% of all families in Northern Ireland are one-parent families.

46% become lone parents due to separation or divorce (Census 2001)
7% become lone parents due to bereavement (DHSSPS)
less than 3% of lone parents are teenagers ('A wise head on young shoulders ' Jena Muston - Gingerbread NI 1998)
80% of lone parents are aged 25-49 years (Census 2001)
60% of lone parents are in debt (Lone Parents Needs Assessment - NHSSB - Lynda Spence - Gingerbread NI 1996)
75% of single parent households have no savings compared to 41% of all households in NI (Family Resources Survey 2004/05)
67% live in rented accommodation (Census 2001)
67% of lone parents live on an average of £ 156 per week (New TSN - the way forward)
90% of lone parents wish to work outside of the home at some stage (DHSSPS)

For further Census 2001 figures follow the link to the Northern Ireland Statistical Research Agency http://www.nisra.gov.uk