Life forms in North Rhine-Westphalia

Definition: The basis for determining a life form is the social relations between the members of a household. The private life forms of the population are statistically recorded in the microcensus along two “axis”: First, partnership and second parenthood. According to this classification, the following forms of life can be depicted: — Couples with single children and without single children, — Single parents with single children and — single persons. The microcensus focuses on the relationship structure of the people surveyed in the “own four walls”, i.e. on a common household. Therefore, parent-child relationships that exist across budgetary borders or partnerships with separate budget management, the so-called “living-apart-together”, are not taken into account. Life forms at the secondary residence as well as the population in communal accommodation are also not taken into account here. Note: On 1 January 2005, the microcensus survey concept was switched from a defined reference week to a continuous survey throughout the year. From 2005 onwards, annual averages will be reported. However, the figures for the years before 2005 refer to a fixed reference week in March, April or May. Data source: It NRW, MicrocensusDefinition: