No matter how long you’ve been with your partner, it stands to reason your relationship has changed since you first started dating. Time and experience have a way of shifting priorities and altering dispositions. Some couples learn to weather the storms together, growing stronger with each passing year. Others realize that they might be happier with someone else and decide to separate. Though all relationships are unique, data suggests that there are many similarities. Review these marriage statistics and learn more about the interesting world of wedded bliss. 

When the Last Marriage Didn’t Work

Divorce is said to be one of the most stressful and emotionally upsetting experiences a person can go through. Even if there’s good reason for the separation or the agreement is amicable, adjusting to the change can be challenging. Interestingly, data suggests that single life might be too much for many people to handle. According to research, 60% of people who went through divorce decided to remarry within the next few years. Though it can be upsetting to learn that divorce rates are higher than ever, a majority of second marriages tend to prove stronger than the first.

When the Nest Is Empty

Having children typically means a couple will need to readjust their routines in significant ways. However, statistics show that adding children to the mix doesn’t have as much of an impact as when children move out. Most kids live with their parents for roughly the first two decades of their lives. Whether they move for college, marriage, or simply to experience independence, the absence can create some serious stress for parents. After so many years of operating as a group, couples can struggle to connect on an individual level again. 

Though becoming empty nesters can take a significant toll on a couple, it is not usually the main reason for a separation or other major relationship change. However, studies show that many couples will start to spend more money after the children leave the nest. Even if income levels remain the same, the absence of kids can allow parents the opportunity to finally indulge. Going on vacations and taking part in home projects together can even strengthen a bond and allow the couple to enter the next phase of life in a unified way. 

When Love Is in the Air

Making the initial decision to marry can be difficult for some people. Whether the individual has been married before and is worried about getting burned again or simply doesn’t know when the time to pop the question is right, taking the initial plunge can be daunting. No matter how long it takes, statistics point out that a vast majority of people marry for the same reason. Roughly 88% of couples in a 2013 Pew Research Study state that their main reason and the best reason to marry was for love. This trumped other reasons like financial security. 

When You Love the Person 

The world might be filled with many hateful and ignorant people, but marriage statistics point out that love always wins in the end. A survey in 2015 highlighted that more than 17% of couples were married to a person who identified as a different race. In 1967, couples who fit these criteria only comprised about 3% of all marriages. Additionally, data suggests that Americans who identify as either Asian or Hispanic are the most likely to marry someone of a different racial background. The most recent statistics taken in 2019 highlight that most Americans view intermarrying as a benefit to society. 

While statistics aren’t a hard-and-fast truth, reviewing data about marriage can be an interesting way to gain a broader perspective on the decisions couples tend to make. At the end of the day, marriage is a big gamble for anyone. Still, it is absolutely a gamble worth taking.