In some cases, when a young couple wants to get married, friends or family members may advise against it. They may say that getting married at a young age makes divorce more likely and that the couple would be better off dating for a few more years before tying the knot.
Often, the couple does not see it this way. They may feel confident that it is the right time to get married and believe their age will not have much impact on their chances of divorce. So what do the statistics actually show?
Young marriages do have a higher divorce rate
Research suggests that getting married at a younger age does increase the odds of divorce. One study identified age 32 as an optimal age for marriage. For every year before that age, a couple was found to be approximately 11% more likely to divorce. For example, a couple that marries at 22 would face a significantly higher risk of divorce.
However, this does not mean that people should endlessly delay marriage in an effort to improve their odds. For every year after age 32, the risk of divorce begins to increase again, rising by about 5% per year. This suggests that waiting too long can also increase the likelihood that a marriage will end.
Addressing a divorce this year
These statistics help show how age and divorce rates may be related, but every relationship is unique. Regardless of how old you were when you got married, if you and your spouse are heading toward a divorce, it is important to understand what legal steps to take at this time.