Recent studies have demonstrated that the marriage age in the United States is increasing. As of now, it is right around 32 years old. There are still people who get married in their teens or in their 40s, of course, but most people do it in their early 30s.
At the same time, some researchers have studied divorce trends. What they have found is that the lowest divorce rates belong to couples who get married at 32. Prior to that, the divorce rate goes up by 11% a year. After 32, the rate goes up by 5% a year.
Relationship stability
A big reason for this trend is that relationships tend to be more stable when people are a little older. For instance, a young couple that rushes into marriage might feel like they’ve grown apart after a few years, and then they get a divorce. But if they had continued dating until 32, they may have naturally broken up or they would have overcome their differences and started their marriage at a later age.
Financial security is also a big part of it. It used to be very common for people to get married in their early 20s or even at 18 or 19. But it can be very hard for couples in this age bracket to earn a living and support themselves on their own. This could lead to significant financial stress after a young marriage, perhaps increasing the odds of a divorce.
Addressing divorce issues
Although research does show that divorce odds are lowest at 32, they can happen to any couple, depending on the unique factors of their situation. If you and your spouse are moving toward a divorce, take the time to look into all of the legal options at your disposal.
