Get the Facts: Marriage Statistics to Guide Your Relationship Decisions

Both marriage and divorce rates have seen a steady decline in the last 30 years in the US, but there’s no conclusive evidence as to why or what the effect of these statistics has on the American public.

We could speculate that fewer people are getting married because the social pressure to get married is decreasing, and more people see marriage as a financial hurdle they can’t afford as they struggle to pay off student loans.

Whatever the case may be, in the US, there are still over 62 million married adults, and roughly 61% of unmarried adults would like to get married, according to the Pew Research center.

With all these people getting married, we want to know: how can you increase your chances of a happy marriage?

So, here are some essential marriage and relationship statistics you need to know if you want to answer that question.

The Best Time for Marriage is Between Ages 28-32

It’s common for people to worry about their marriage prospects as they enter and live through their 20s, but the truth is that getting married young decreases your chances for a successful marriage.

In fact, people who marry between the ages of 28-32 are statistically less likely to get divorced.

Holiday Stress May Lead to Divorces

In the US, there is a seasonal spike in divorces between January and March. The reason? Researchers claim the holidays cause a perceived strain on familial relationships. So, if you’re considering getting married, a test run through your holiday rituals might just save your marriage.

About Half of All Marriages End in Divorce

This one is pretty common knowledge—and you should take it to heart. Between 40-50% of marriages in the US end in divorce, and many newlyweds (between 45-67%) claim that the belief a marriage will last forever is unrealistic.

So, why do people still get married?

Most People Believe Marriage Equals Love

Well, over 80% of newlyweds believe that marriage is the ultimate expression of love. And over 93% of married people say love is a very important reason to get married. In fact, love wins out as a reason for marriage over companionship, children, financial stability, and a lifelong commitment.

But what does marriage bring that a serious relationship can’t?

Women are Less Satisfied in Marriages Than Men

In various areas of the relationship, including how their partner parents, communicates, and divides household chores, women are less satisfied than men. This may indicate that women are more likely to do more physical and emotional labor regarding their marriage, home life, and raising children.

In the same study from the Pew Research Center, both men and women reported satisfaction rates in these areas between 38-55%, revealing that roughly half of all married individuals (of both genders) are not satisfied with the communication, parenting, and chores in their marriage.

Is Rushing Marriage a Mistake?

The divorce rate in the US is one of the highest worldwide, and it seems that most couples recognize that divorce is a reasonable part of marriage—even likely.

So, why enter the legally binding commitment of marriage? For some people, it’s about experiencing the ceremony. Others believe that getting married is the grandest gesture of love that one can make.

But a grand gesture isn’t all it takes to love someone. What happens after the ceremony is just as important—so before getting married, you should ask yourself:

  • Am I getting married because I hope it will change our relationship?
  • After I get married, will I be happy as this person’s partner and roommate?
  • Is our relationship healthy now?
  • Do we already have honesty, trust, equality, support, and open communication?

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