A New Reality: Why Almost Half of Women Could Be Single by 2030

Imagine: it’s 2030, and almost one in every two women of working age is single and childless. That’s the prediction from an international study by Morgan Stanley, one of the world’s leading financial firms. And it’s not just about New York or Europe — this trend is global.

Why is this happening? First, women’s economic independence is growing. The term sheconomy is now widely used: it refers to an economy centered on women as consumers, employees, and entrepreneurs. Single women often focus more on their careers, personal growth, and pleasures: travel, housing, entertainment, and education. Their spending can easily surpass that of a family with children, making independent women hugely valuable economically for both governments and businesses.

Second, social realities are changing. Family models that worked for decades are no longer as effective. Support programs for women in Europe, like parental leave in France or Spain, are insufficient to reverse the trend. The post-Covid crisis and inflation only accelerate the process: already today, in South Korea and Taiwan, fertility rates among women under 45 fall to 0.7–0.8 children per woman — a record low.

But it’s important to understand: this isn’t a tragedy. In Western countries, media outlets interpret these numbers more as a cultural shift than as a problem. Women have the chance to say no to toxic relationships, build careers, grow personally, and enjoy life. Single women are becoming independent, influential, and successful.

By publishing these forecasts, Morgan Stanley is also signaling to investors: businesses catering to single, childless women will soon become highly profitable. Fashion, beauty, tech, travel, education — independent women are the main consumers in these sectors.

Yes, being single remains a challenge, but modern culture transforms it into choice and freedom. That 45% of women will be single by 2030 is not a failure, but a new reality in which every woman has the right to live life on her own terms. And if being single was once seen as a problem, today it’s a symbol of independence and strength.