Divorce Rates Are Declining, With Only 1.4% Of Married Couples Divorcing In 2023

“Til death do us part” is making a comeback, and we are here for it.

That’s right – divorce rates in the U.S. have are continuing to decline, with only 1.4% of married couples calling it quits in 2023, according to a Pew Research analysis of Census data. America hasn’t seen divorce rates this low in decades. The real question is, why? Are people getting better at picking spouses? Or are there fewer people getting married?

For one, people are getting way more selective about who (and when) they marry. Unlike previous generations who often tied the knot young, modern couples are giving marriage more thought. This is a good thing because people are marrying better-suited partners and saving themselves heartache. This is a bad thing because, well, people are far more likely to be single for a longer period of time. However, older couples are often more financially stable, experienced, and clear on what they actually want in a life partner. 

University of Maryland professor Philip Cohen thinks that "marriage is more and more an achievement of status, rather than something that people do regardless of how they’re doing.” Not sure I agree with this, as many women still see marriage as a sacred union rather than a status symbol.

Ian Kerner, a marriage and family therapist, told CNN that he’d noticed a shift toward what he calls "companionate marriages," where partners see each other as best friends first, romantic partners second, which doesn’t sound fun but, as it turns out, this approach builds long-term stability. Of course, there’s a tradeoff. Kerner points out that some couples struggle with attraction over time, but they still choose partners based on qualities that support long-term satisfaction. People are prioritizing traits that will actually sustain a marriage – such as emotional compatibility, shared values, and mutual respect – rather than more superficial factors like height or looks.

The draconian lockdowns also did a number on relationships, but not always in the way you’d expect. Marriage and family therapist Marissa Nelson told CNN that being stuck at home together forced couples to confront their problems head-on. For some, that meant realizing they were incompatible and breaking up. But for others, it meant learning how to communicate better, work through issues, and come out stronger. It really is all about communication. 

More People Are Staying Married 

Not only are fewer people getting divorced, but more are staying married. For the first time in years, the percentage of married adults actually went up, from 50% in 2019 to 51% in 2023. At the same time, the percentage of single adults dropped from 44% to 42%, according to Pew Research.

We can’t ignore the fact that married couples are also more financially secure. A 2023 Federal Reserve survey found that 77% of people in relationships felt financially stable, compared to just 64% of single adults. Marriage has always come with economic benefits, like shared expenses, tax breaks, and dual incomes. Nevertheless, Marriage in America is no longer what it used to be. Fewer people are getting married on a whim, and more couples are prioritizing a healthy partnership. 

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