 Their analysis indicates that "one in three dwellings are occupied by a person living alone; one in four dwellings are occupied by a childless couple.."

Voted by the French Parliament in November 1999 following some controversy, the "pacte civil de solidarité" ("civil pact of solidarity") commonly known as a "PACS", is a form of civil union between two adults (same-sex or opposite-sex) for organizing their joint life.It brings rights and responsibilities, but less so than marriage.From a legal standpoint, a PACS is a "contract" drawn up between the two individuals, which is stamped and registered by the clerk of the court.