With the changes in the population and family structure in Hong Kong, the number of single-person and two-person households has increased significantly, with single-person households showing a particularly notable rise. According to 2021 Census data, one-person households now exceed 500,000, representing 20.2% of all households in the city. As more people no longer see childbearing and family ties as necessary beneficial—and in some cases, family relationships could even become a source of distress. Since this, we must ask whether this trend will make modern individual more prone toward social isolation, or prompt them to redefine how we build meaningful connections.
In response to these trends, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) has conducted case studies on solo living. Our goal is to move beyond the stigma of “loneliness” and view solo living as a “journey of self-empowerment and relationship building.” We believe that a singleton-friendly society should respect people’s right to live alone while providing robust, non-traditional support systems.
Exhibition Highlights
The “Unlock: My Story of Solo-Connected-Living” exhibition, held from March 20–29, 2026, translates our research into an interactive narrative based on in-depth interviews with 12 individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Narratives & Data:. A deep dive into the drivers of singleton living—from “relationship detox” to personal independence—supported by latest census analytics.
“Life in 50 Grids” Interactive Experience: A large-scale simulation that allows visitors to navigate the risks and opportunities of living alone, illustrating how policy and community support impact individual resilience.
Policy Advocacy and Voting Zone: A consultation area where visitors can vote on 12 proposed elements of a “Singleton-Friendly City,” informing our future advocacy and service development.
Artistic Life Stories: Collaborative works by local artists that visualize the representative objects and lived experiences of our interviewees.
Exchange and Themed Seminars: A professional platform hosting peer-led discussions for lived-experience sharing and expert-led seminars on housing policy, singleton support system, and loneliness prevention.
Social Service Sector Guided Tours
To facilitate professional exchange, we have arranged dedicated tour slots for our member agencies. These sessions will be led by our advocacy team to discuss research findings and advocacy priorities.
Dates: March 23–27, 2026 (Monday to Friday)
Time Slots: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Venue: G/F, 618 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok
Target Audience: Staff of member agencies and social service professionals
Registration Deadline: March 13, 2026 (Friday)
Registration: Click here
We cordially invite your agency to join this dialogue as we collectively imagine a more inclusive city for all living arrangements. For further information, please contact Ms. Alice Law, Officer, Policy Research and Advocacy, at 2864 2989 or [email protected] .