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The divorce rate is declining drastically, thanks to millennials

On Behalf of | Oct 3, 2018 | Divorce

There are many factors that contribute to divorce, including financial disagreements, lack of communication, infidelity and unrealistic expectations. However, one of the most notable factors is age. According to a new study, millennials are better at marriage than older age groups, which is causing the divorce rate to take a plunge. The divorce rate went down 18 percent between 2008 and 2016.

But why are younger couples not separating as much? Here is a closer look at the study to help us understand.

Why do Millennials have a lower divorce rate?

One of the core reasons that the divorce rate among millennials is plunging is that they are becoming more selective of marital partners. Younger people are waiting to tie the knot until they receive education and have stable careers. However, while this may sound positive, there are some dismal causes for this. For example, millennials are dealing with more debt and struggling to receive a higher education. This marriage-wary generation is delaying marriage and children much later. For men, the average age for entering a first marriage is 29, and 27 for women.

Therefore, sometimes the decision to not marry among millennials is not a conscious one. Rather, the idea of a stable family is an elusive concept for some. So while the divorce rate is plummeting among the younger generation, only a select few are saying “I do.”

Contrasting the gray divorce trend

Older adults are more prone to divorce. The divorce rates for people 50 years old and older almost doubled between 1990 and 2015. Americans 65 years old and older have an even higher rate. Baby Boomers are consistently divorcing more frequently. 

While these statistics can tell us about trends across the country, every couple is unique. No matter what age, there may be marital problems that lead to breaking up. While there is a pattern of marriage becoming more rare and stable, divorce is still an issue.