About 10% of people in the UK do not live in the same house as their partner. The Couples Living Apart Survey is a survey Understanding Society is running to find out more about who is living apart, why and what they plan to do in the future. Most policies about families are made for couples who live together, but couples who live apart need to be thought about by policymakers too.
How you can help
We would like you to share your contact details with us so we can invite you to complete the survey. You can send us your contact information by filling out the online form below.
We’ll then get in touch with you. We won’t share any information you tell us with your partner. By giving us your contact details, you’re not committing to take part. Taking part is completely up to you, but we hope you will complete the survey to help us understand co-parenting better. We also hope you enjoy the chance to think about and share your unique experiences of co-parenting across homes. We won’t use your details for any other reason.
Why are we interested in couples living in different homes?
By taking part in this survey you will help us create a clearer picture of couples living in different homes that will be used by policymakers and organisations supporting family life. Not many surveys recognise relationships across different homes, so this is your chance to have your say.
What we’ve learned so far
Understanding Society data has led to some important findings about couples living in different homes:
Our data has been used to show that people are in these relationships at various stages in their lives and for many reasons, sometimes through choice, sometimes through circumstance or both.
The Economic and Social Research Council is the primary funder of the study
The Study is led by a team at the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) at the University of Essex.