Debts & Loans

One third of single people believe that their marital status gives them an extra financial burden.

According to a poll of singletons from Zurich, 70 per cent of the group have also never taken professional financial advice.

Around half also said that they think it is "very important" not to have any credit card debts or to go into their current account overdrafts.

Business development director at Zurich UK Life, commented: "The research has demonstrated that there is a real need for financial advice, particularly among people who are single.

"We understand that modern life can leave very little time for people to sort out their finances. But the fact that more than a third of single adults worry about the added financial cost of being single suggests that being single in this current economic climate may be more fretful than fabulous!"

Recent figures from charity Credit Action show that total personal debts in the UK are approaching £1.5 trillion.