In 2022, so-called “complex” households are more common in overseas departments than in France, according to an INSEE study.
Complex households are those which are not made up only of a single person or a family nucleus (couple with or without children or single-parent family). Those who bring together a family nucleus and at least one ascendant or descendant represent up to 5% of households in certain overseas departments (3,4% in Reunion), compared to 1% in France. Complex households are characterized by more frequent housing overoccupancy and lower employment rates ; women are overrepresented. In the five overseas territories, 56% to 77% of multigenerational households contain at least one single-parent family ; their living conditions are even more difficult. In 1990, 18% of households were complex in Reunion. This proportion fell to 7,8% in 2022, including 2% of households without a family unit (unrelated people living in shared accommodation or a brother and sister living together without their parents, For example).
