Karaoke for one: China’s $1 trillion ‘loneliness economy’ gives a glimpse of the world’s fut

Rachel Xia has grown quite used to flying solo in the decade since leaving her hometown of Luoyang in central China. The 30-year-old Hong Kong resident has no qualms about eating alone, traveling alone and going to the movies alone. In fact, Xia has discovered almost everything in the bustling city can be arranged for one.

Groceries and meals for one are delivered straight to her door. Her late ragdoll cat Mocha was a steadfast emotional companion, waking her in the mornings and greeting her when she came home from work. If she wanted to get something off her chest, she could also turn to AI chatbots. “It’s super convenient right now for people to live alone,” she said. “Most things I can think of, I’ve had the experience of doing on my own.” Xia is part of a growing cohort fast reshaping the profile of the Asian consumer: people who are single, childless or otherwise living alone. The traditional metrics of success in many Asian nations – marriage, children and home ownership – have lost their appeal among younger generations, as costs of housing and education have risen and social expectations have changed.