The Surprising Reasons Why Marriage Rates in the U.S. Are Plummeting

by Contributor

(Nov. 21, 2022) — Marriage is becoming less common in the U.S. Here are the real reasons.

It’s no secret that marriage rates in the United States have been declining for years. What is surprising, however, is why this decline is happening. It’s not because millennials are commitment-phobes or because women are waiting longer to get married. The real reason is much more unexpected.

The Decline of Marriage in America

Marriage rates in America have steadily declined since the early 2000s. According to data from the Pew Research Center, the percentage of married adults has dropped from 72% in 2000 to just 50% recently. That’s a stunning 22-point decline in just 17 years! So what’s behind this sharp decrease?

It’s Not Just Millennials

One popular theory is that millennials wait longer to marry than previous generations. And while it’s true that the median age of first marriage has risen from 23 for men and 21 for women in 1970 to 29 for men and 27 for women in 2018, that doesn’t tell the whole story. The fact is, delaying marriage is not unique to millennials; it’s something that Americans of all ages are doing.

In fact, according to Pew Research Center data, the percentage of adults who have never been married has increased across all age groups since 2000. In 2000, only 24% of adults aged 55 and older had never been married; by 2017, that number had increased to 34%. For adults aged 35-54, the percentage who had never been married rose from 10% in 2000 to 16% in 2017. Even among millennials (aged 18-34), the percentage who had never been married rose from 26% in 2000 to 36% by 2014 (the most recent data available). So clearly, this trend toward delayed marriage is not unique to millennials; it’s something Americans of all ages do.

The Real Reasons Marriage Rates Are Plummeting

So if delaying marriage isn’t the reason behind the decrease in marriage rates, what is? The answer may surprise you: it’s rising education levels.

According to a recent study by economists Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers, increasing education levels are responsible for about one-third of the decline in marriage rates between 1960 and 2008! And that trend shows no signs of slowing down; according to Pew Research Center projections, by 2030, nearly one-in-four American adults (24%) will have completed at least a bachelor’s degree.

So what does this have to do with marriage? Well, it turns out that highly educated Americans are more likely to wait until later in life to get married-and when they do tie the knot, they’re less likely to divorce than their less-educated counterparts. In other words, rising education levels are leading to more stable marriages-which may help explain why marriage rates are falling even as Americans are waiting longer to get married. However, education levels aren’t the only reason more Americans aren’t getting married. Another reason is the laws surrounding marriage.

Divorce Laws

Another reason why marriage rates are dropping is that divorce laws have changed, making it easier for spouses to get divorced. When you look at divorce statistics, you may be surprised to learn that half of all marriages end in divorce; however, that figure is slightly misleading.

In reality, only about one-third of first marriages end in divorce (and those numbers have been holding steady since the 1970s). But when second and third marriages are considered, approximately 50% of Americans will experience a divorce! And unfortunately, while many people believe that millennials value their independence more than previous generations did-which may contribute to the rise in never-married adults-it turns out that young Americans are more likely to get divorced than older generations.

While there isn’t a clear explanation for this trend, some experts believe that the factors driving delayed marriage may also contribute to increased divorce rates among millennials.

So while it’s true that marriage rates are declining, it turns out that they’re likely to remain stable in the future-which means that those who end up getting married could enjoy longer-lasting marriages as a result!

Child Custody Laws

Finally, child custody laws are another factor influencing the decline in marriage rates. In many states, child custody arrangements give children more rights than they used to-and some married couples may be hesitant to get married if it means risking their children’s interests after a divorce. That’s why having a child custody lawyer is more essential today than ever. These lawyers work hard in court to ensure that their clients’ children are cared for correctly and that they have the child’s best interests in mind when making custody decisions.

So while it certainly appears that marriage rates are falling, there are several reasons why this trend isn’t as alarming as it seems! And as Americans continue waiting longer to get married and delaying childbirth until later in life, the country can expect society to become even more stable over time.