Households will never be the same

Fluctuations in birth levels in the US during the 20th century have resulted and will result in tremendous changes in the composition of American households for the rest of the 1990s. This abrupt shift in birth rates is illustrated by the low levels of the 1930s and 1940s, followed by increased levels from the 1950s to the 1970s, succeeded by a decline in the 1980s, and finally a resurgence in birth levels in the early 1990s. A 50% increase in the total population of American households has been observed for the last two decades. This population growth is accounted for, to a large extent, by single Americans. Changes in the age structure of households is also expected for the coming years, which will consequently result in a change in income distribution. Married couples, wherein partners are both working, will enhance income distribution.