Does The Age You Marry At Affect Your Chance Of Divorce?

Does your age, and the age of your partner, matter when you get married? As a matter of fact, research suggests that age can be a factor in predicting the likeliness of divorce. Of course, age isn’t the only factor that will determine whether or not your marriage is successful, but it may be more important than you realize.
 

Is Getting Married When You’re Older Better?

It’s a common assumption that getting married when you’re a little older equates to a better chance of avoiding divorce. This is supposedly because you’re wiser, more tolerant, and more accepting of another person’s flaws and imperfections.

The truth, however, is a bit more nuanced. According to a 2016 study published in Psychology Today, you’re 50% more likely to get divorced if you get married at 20 years old instead of at 25. While this statistic would seem to confirm the idea that waiting to get married is better, there is a turning point after age 32.

Studies have shown that there is a “Goldilocks” zone, between ages 28 and 32, where marriages have the highest chance of success. After 32, the likelihood of your marriage ending in divorce increases by approximately 5% per year.

Why Does Divorce Become More Likely Later In Life?

There are several factors that contribute to the increased chances of divorce if you get married in your mid-30s or later. Statistically, at this stage of life you’re more likely to have:

• ”Emotional baggage” from one or more serious relationships
• Children from one or more partners
• More complicated finances
• A career that demands significant time and effort

While some or all of this may not be true for you (or your partner) when you decide to get married, these factors are frequent contributors to divorce when they are present in one or both spouse’s lives.
 

Be Aware, Not Intimidated

The best way to utilize all this information is as a reason to have clear and open communication with your partner before getting married. Don’t let the statistics intimidate you. What the statistics don’t say is that many couples that do end up divorcing, regardless of their age when they got married, never committed to clearly discussing and resolving common issues that every marriage encounters.

Money, children, family, and other concerns are pain points in every marriage, no matter how healthy the marriage is. Ignoring these issues is a fast track to divorce. Talking about them often leads to a stronger, happier marriage. So, whether you’re 25 or 65, talk to your partner about your concerns, your fears, and your expectations beforehand to give both of you the best chance of success going forward.