Puja Sachdev | November 15, 2024 | Divorce
The “50% of marriages end in divorce” statistic is tossed around frequently in casual conversation. However, like many things everyone “knows,” it’s not quite accurate. The real story is both more complex and more interesting.
Do Half of All Marriages Really End in Divorce?
In the 1980s, when the idea of a 50% divorce rate took hold, things looked different. Census data shows that divorce rates peaked in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During this period, the often-quoted 50% figure was closer to reality.
Several factors contributed to those high rates, including women entering the workforce in greater numbers and shifts in cultural attitudes toward divorce. Additionally, changes in divorce laws made it easier to end marriages, while the baby boomer generation entering marriage age also influenced the statistics.
Marriage and Divorce Rates in the U.S. Today
The most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that in 2022:
- The marriage rate was 6.2 per 1,000 population
- The divorce rate was 2.4 per 1,000 population
However, divorce statistics are more nuanced than simple numbers.
According to the National Survey of Family Growth, about half of first marriages end in divorce, but the exact percentage varies significantly depending on when couples marry and how long they stay together.
Additionally, for couples who wed by age 24 and stayed married up to 20 years, the probability of marriage survival is 52% for women and 56% for men. That means the actual divorce rate over this period is approximately 48% for women and 44% for men.
According to the same research, it’s also estimated that for marriages beginning this year, only about 39% are likely to end in divorce — significantly lower than the often-quoted 50% figure.
The Decline of Marriage and Divorce Rates
Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals a clear downward trend in divorce rates over the past decade.
From 2009 to 2019, the divorce rate fell significantly, dropping from 9.7 to 7.6 new divorces per 1,000 women aged 15 and over. However, during the same period, marriage rates also declined, with new marriages dropping from 17.6 to 16.3 per 1,000 women.
These numbers suggest a broader shift in how Americans approach marriage and divorce, with couples appearing more cautious about entering marriage and more successful at maintaining long-term relationships when they do marry.
Factors That Influence Divorce Rates
Several key factors affect the likelihood of divorce in California:
Age At Marriage
Getting married later in life correlates with lower divorce rates. Couples who marry in their late 20s or early 30s tend to have more stable marriages than those who marry in their teens or early 20s.
Education Level
College-educated couples show lower divorce rates than those without degrees. This likely connects to both economic stability and delayed marriage age.
Previous Marriages
Second and third marriages face higher divorce rates than first marriages, with about 60% of second marriages ending in legal separation or divorce.
Income Level
Higher-income couples tend to have lower divorce rates. Financial stress often contributes to marital problems, making adequate income a stabilizing factor in many high-asset relationships.
The Geographic Factor
Divorce rates also vary widely by state and region. Some areas consistently show higher rates than others, often correlating with average marriage age, education levels, religious participation, economic conditions, and cultural attitudes toward divorce.
Marriage and Divorce Among Young Adults
Today’s young adults approach marriage differently than previous generations. For one thing, they marry later and often live together first. They’re also more likely to be financially established and selective about their marriage partners. These factors generally correlate with more stable, long-lasting marriages.
The Significance of Divorce Rates
Marriage as an institution continues to evolve. And while divorce remains common, most marriages don’t end in divorce. Understanding the factors that influence marriage stability helps provide context for these statistics and suggests ways to build stronger relationships.
Contact Our Family Law Firm in San Diego, CA. Call us at (619) 866-3756
Contact our experienced San Diego divorce lawyers at San Diego Divorce Lawyers, APC, today for legal assistance. Contact us at (619) 866-3756 to schedule a free consultation.
We proudly serve throughout San Diego County. We are located in San Diego, California.
San Diego Divorce Lawyers, APC
2851 Camino del Rio S #430
San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 866-3756
