When Will I Get Married?

We don’t have to tell you that getting married is sort of a big deal. It’s a lifelong promise to another person to stand by their side, in sickness and in health, for better or worse. (Of course, if worse does come around, there’s the divorce option… but that’s a topic for another day.) But for some people, it’s a bigger decision than others, and people get married for all sorts of reasons on top of love. What’s more, marriage hasn’t always looked the same throughout history, and differs by culture. Let’s look at some stats:

How many people are getting married?
According to researchers, in 1965 in the U.S., there was an average of 76 married women for every 1000 unmarried women. That may seem low, but keep in mind that getting married isn’t just something you do to kill an afternoon, especially not in 1965 when societal pressures weighed heavy on single women. And if you think that’s a high number, the same research estimates that today, there are only about 31 married women for every 1000 . So if you’re not married yet, you’re in good company!

At what age do people usually get married?
According to one study, the average age of married couples in the U.S. in 2022 was about 32 years old , up from 31 years old in 2021, and 30 in 2018. That suggests that people seem to be waiting longer and longer to get married. There are a few possible reasons for that. One is that societal expectations are evolving. Where before marriage was pretty much the default route for most people, it’s become less of a social requirement as the years have passed—people don’t mind being more independent, or even having relationships without bringing marriage into the mix. Another possible reason is economics. It’s no secret that the professional world is getting tougher for young people, and with marriage being something of an investment, and also with young people’s attention focused more on making a living, marriage may be becoming a little less accessible. Or, maybe it just looks different from before.

Does marriage last?
Your marriage is what you make of it. If you and your partner are compatible and enjoy each other’s company, you’re probably going to the grave with that ring on your finger. As for divorce, we’re happy to say that divorce rates seem to be on the decline (though that’s also probably tied to lower marriage rates—fewer marriages means fewer divorces, naturally). Recent data says that in 2011, about 1 in 100 women had gone through a divorce. In 2021, that number dropped to about 7 in 100 women. Don’t let those numbers scare you, though! It’s just one more reason to take things slow, enjoy your relationship, and not be too hasty.

As they say: Only fools rush in!