Divorce is a largely personal experience, but it is also a social issue. Couples get married specifically to have society and the government recognize their relationships. When they divorce, they ask to officially end that marital relationship.
Therefore, the government generally has an interest in tracking divorce statistics much like it monitors marriages and birth rates. Research into divorce can sometimes give people better insight into their personal circumstances by helping them understand what others have chosen to do. The three statistics below are among the most interesting in early 2024.
Divorce rates are down
Researchers have found that fewer couples divorce now than just a few decades ago. They in part correlate this to a reduction in marriage rates and a trend toward marrying later in life. Overall, fewer couples get divorced now than in 1990. Those who do divorce often have reasonable justification for choosing to end a marriage such as incompatibility, financial misconduct, or infidelity.
Gray divorce is on the rise
There’s only one demographic that has seen an increase in divorces, and that is adults over the age of 50 in long-term marriages. So-called gray divorces have roughly tripled since 1990, and the trend does not currently show any immediate signs of reversing. People preparing for retirement are more likely now than ever before to decide to end long-term marriages for their own happiness later in life.
More couples have prenuptial agreements now
Overall, research indicates that only about one in five married couples have a prenuptial agreement in place. However, when looking at younger generations, that figure is much higher. Approximately 47% of Millennials report signing prenuptial agreements during engagements, and slightly fewer members (41%) of Gen Z report the same. Younger adults are likely part of the reason why the overall attitude toward prenuptial agreements has shifted. Marrying later in life with more assets and two professionals in the family often necessitates the negotiation of a thorough prenuptial agreement.
These trends offer insight into the modern culture of marriage and divorce in the United States. Those who understand divorce may feel less intimidated by the thought of leaving an unhealthy marriage.
