Statistics Singapore - Singapore Standard Classification of Household Living Arrangements

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Singapore Standard Classification of Household Living Arrangements

The classification focuses on the living arrangements in family-based households and non-family-based households. Family-based households refer to those with at least one family nucleus. Non-family-based ones refer to those with no family nucleus. For family-based households, the classification further incorporates additional dimensions on the life cycle stages and presence of children for detailed analysis of structural differences between various family types.

The classification comprises groups which are homogeneous in composition, characteristics and needs at various levels of aggregation, (see Chart 1) (34 kb).

3 groups at the first level of aggregation, reflecting the broad types of family-based households, and non-family-based households;

For the family-based household,

	4 groups at the second level, with breakdown by life-cycle stages;
	4 groups at the third level, identifying the presence and age of children; and

For the non-family-based households,

	2 groups at the second level, to illustrate the makeup of the household; and
	3 groups at the third level, to indicate the presence of elderly persons.

The concept of family nucleus applied in the classification is as defined in the UN recommendations. Family nucleus is identified based on the relationship of each person in the household to the head of household. The head is the person generally acknowledged as such by the other household members. The person is normally the oldest member, the main income earner or the person who manages the affairs of the households. Relationship to the head could be through blood, adoption or marriage.

Last updated: 30 Jun 2007