Specific Measure

Percentage of children under 18 living with a single parent. (Grandparents and other relatives, though they may play important roles, are not counted as parents in these data. Households where a biological parent has a live-in, unmarried partner are also counted as single-parent households. However, when a stepparent marries the biological parent and/or adopts the child, it is considered a two-parent household).

(Source: Census Bureau)

How does the US rank globally?

  • Specific Measure: (Same as above).
    (Source: Author’s analysis of Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development data)
  • Percentage of countries the US outperforms: 3% (out of 31 countries)
  • International Rank Trend: Stable

National Trend Stable

Chart of Children Living with Single Parent national trend

For more information about data sources and treatments, download the Data Notes.