Types of Households

A household is a basic social and economic unit consisting of individuals who live together in the same dwelling and share resources such as food, income, and domestic responsibilities. Household members may be related by blood, marriage, or adoption, but households can also include unrelated individuals who cohabit for economic or social reasons. It serves as a primary unit for organizing daily life, managing finances, and providing emotional and social support.

Households are central to both sociological and economic analyses because they reflect social structures, cultural norms, and patterns of consumption. They can take various forms, including nuclear households (parents and children), extended households (multiple generations), single-person households, and non-family households (unrelated individuals living together). Studying households helps understand family dynamics, population trends, and living standards within a society.

“A household is a person or a group of persons who normally live together in the same housing unit and share meals or living arrangements.” (United Nations, 2008)

“Households are social and economic units that manage resources collectively, including production, consumption, and care of dependents, often based on kinship ties.” (Caldwell, 1976)

“A household consists of individuals who co-reside and share domestic and economic responsibilities, regardless of whether they are related by blood, marriage, or adoption.” (Ruggles, 1988)

“A household is defined as a person or a group of persons who occupy the same dwelling and make common provision for food or other essentials for living.” (Statistics Canada, 2017)

“Households are the basic units of residential organization, comprising individuals who live together and share living spaces and resources, forming the foundation for social and economic analysis.” (Population Reference Bureau, 2021)

Types of Households

By Composition

·       Nuclear Household

A nuclear household is a type of household consisting of two parents and their dependent children living together as a single unit. It is the most common household structure in many societies and emphasizes a smaller, self-contained family unit. For example, in an urban Nepali family, a father, mother, and their two children living independently from extended relatives form a nuclear household. This structure allows parents to make decisions primarily for their immediate family and manage resources and responsibilities within a compact family unit.

·       Extended Household

An extended household is a type of household that includes multiple generations or additional relatives living together under one roof. This structure often provides economic support, shared responsibilities, and social cohesion among family members. For example, in a rural Nepali household, grandparents, parents, children, and sometimes aunts or uncles may live together, sharing income, household chores, and childcare duties. Extended households are common in societies where family solidarity and collective living are culturally valued, offering both emotional and practical support to all members.

·       Single-Person Household

A single-person household is a type of household in which only one individual lives alone and manages all household responsibilities independently. This household type has become increasingly common in urban areas due to factors such as migration, career focus, or personal preference. For example, in Kathmandu, a young professional living alone in an apartment, handling all expenses, cooking, and daily chores independently, represents a single-person household. This structure emphasizes individual autonomy and self-sufficiency while still forming a distinct social and economic unit.

·       Childless or Couple-Only Household

A childless or couple-only household is a type of household that consists of a married or cohabiting couple without children living together. This household type often focuses on shared economic responsibilities, mutual support, and joint decision-making between partners. For example, in urban Nepal, a married couple living in an apartment without children, managing household expenses, and sharing domestic duties together represents a couple-only household. Such households highlight partnership, companionship, and shared lifestyle choices, even in the absence of dependents.

By Function

·       Family Household

A family household is a type of household in which the members are related by blood, marriage, or adoption and live together as a single unit. This household structure emphasizes kinship ties, shared responsibilities, and collective decision-making. For example, in a Nepali household, parents, their children, and sometimes grandparents living together, pooling resources, and participating in household chores represent a family household. Such households provide social, emotional, and economic support to all members, fostering strong familial bonds and continuity across generations.

·       Non-Family Household

A non-family household is a type of household in which the members are not related by blood, marriage, or adoption, but live together for social, economic, or practical reasons. This household type often includes roommates, co-living arrangements, or individuals sharing an apartment to reduce living costs. For example, in Kathmandu, several young professionals may share an apartment, dividing rent and household chores, without any familial relationship. Non-family households emphasize cooperation, independence, and shared responsibilities among unrelated individuals.

Characteristics of the Household