The number of households in Australia is projected to increase by up to 4 million over the next 25 years, according to projections released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
This is an increase from 7.8 million households in 2006 to up to 11.8 million in 2031.
Family households are projected to show the largest increase and to remain the most common household type in Australia. The number of family households is projected to increase by as many as 2.4 million households, from 5.6 million in 2006 to up to 8.0 million in 2031.
Couple-only families are projected to increase the most rapidly of all types of families over the next 25 years.
The ABS research shows that, if recent trends continue, couple-only families will overtake the number of couple families with children, in either 2013 or 2014. This is mainly related to the ageing of the population, with baby boomers becoming 'empty nesters'.
The number of Australians living alone is projected to have the most rapid increase of all household types, increasing by up to 91 per cent over the next 25 years to 3.6 million by 2031. The rapid increase of people living alone is mainly related to the ageing of the population.
Australia's population is assumed to reach 28.8 million people by 2031.