16:15 - 10.02.2026

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February 10, Fineko/abc.az. The number of single people in China is rapidly increasing: in 2024, almost 20% of the population lived in single-person households, and by the end of the decade this proportion will exceed 30% (150-200 million people).

ABC.AZ reports that the growing number of singles, the aging population, and the rethinking of marriage and relationships by Generation Z are creating the basis for "loneliness economy" that is changing consumption from nutrition to socializing. Restaurants offer separate tables for one, and the food delivery market in 2024 served 545 million users with turnover of 1.2 trillion yuans ($172 billion).

People are increasingly turning to pets and artificial intelligence as companions. ARK Invest predicts growth of the Chinese AI companion market from $30 million up to $150 billion by 2030.

China is following the example of Japan, where goods and services for singles have become a separate economic category. The economics of loneliness affect finance, healthcare, technology, real estate, and culture, creating a new large-scale market.