The rise of one-person households (OPH) is a growing trend, particularly across Asia, where migration, evolving job markets, and shifting social norms are reshaping lifestyles.
In Bangladesh, the major economic hubs like Dhaka, Chittagong, Narayanganj and Sylhet are witnessing an increasing number of solo households, as individuals from other parts of the country keep on migrating to these cities in search for jobs, education and other activities, leaving behind their families.
As the solo living is growing, more people are opting to live alone or in shared accommodations such as messes and hostels.
Popular areas like Mirpur, Tejgaon, and Farmgate have become hotspots for this demographic.
Living alone, although with more freedom of choice, presents its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to meeting one’s everyday needs like meal supply.
Understanding the unique needs of this growing demographic has become increasingly important to address the issue.
Living in a shared space can be challenging, especially when meal times vary. Coordinating group meals often leads to chaos due to differing schedules, social gatherings, and hangouts.
Buying groceries in small quantities to avoid waste doesn’t always solve the problem either.
Food still goes bad, and many feel reluctant to pack leftovers as tiffin for work. As a result, people often rely on nearby local hotels and restaurants for their daily meals.
While convenient, this dependence raises concerns about cleanliness and food quality, especially when eating out becomes a daily routine. For singles, dining alone also often brings its own discomfort, with some feeling awkward occupying a table meant for more.
To avoid this, some might invite friends or colleagues to join, often leading to over-ordering and unnecessary expenses.
Living alone in a hostel while doing a part-time job and pursuing Master's degree can become very stressful at times.
“For many like me, every meal is a choice between convenience and cost, and often, it’s neither satisfying nor nutritious. I personally stick to simple, affordable meals like rice, lentils, and eggs, and occasionally bulk cook to save time and reduce waste", said Mazharul Alam, a struggling bachelor from Mugda.
Many turn to monthly catering services that deliver set-menus to work or home. The repetitive nature of catered meals can make the experience monotonous.
Bachelors often refute eating the same flavors day after day, as it starts to feel like prison food even for those on a budget.
Some days, a simple plate of rice and bhorta suffices. Other days, one craves mutton kachchi or something more indulgent. The mind wants what it wants.
Besides occasional fancy restaurant visits or whimsical in-house experiments by own selves, a number of singles and bachelors in Dhaka and Narayanganj have also reported of taking benefits of foodpanda’s Meal for One deal.
Starting at just Tk150, the single-serving bundles under this category are designed for bachelors, office-goers, students, or anyone seeking quick, budget-friendly meals.
“At foodpanda, we constantly find new ways to enhance convenience. With Meal for One, we’ve bundled single meals so customers don’t have to search endlessly. Plus, we’ve eliminated worries about minimum spending, offering faster and lower delivery fees at only Tk15 for anyone looking for an affordable, varied meal,” says Siddhant Sardeshpande, head of account management at foodpanda Bangladesh, regarding their unique Meal for One.
Such offerings are consistently simplifying ordering for those who need to frequently plan meals, while also offering a healthier alternative to roadside foods, often priced similarly.
For those who enjoy homemade-style options, meals from home chefs bring the additional comfort of fresh, home-cooked food.
To attract customers, various restaurants now also provide with discounts, vouchers, buy-one-get-one (BOGO) offers and much more.