Divorce in the United States has reshaped family life, impacting living arrangements, financial stability, and parenting. For decades, the story of marital dissolution has captured attention, reflecting changes in values, culture, and social expectations. However, recent data from PEW Research Centre shows the nation’s divorce rate has declined sharply, signaling a remarkable transformation in how Americans view marriage.
In 2023, over 1.8 million Americans divorced, but researchers note that the percentage of marriages ending in divorce is much lower than previous generations assumed. Divorce is now at its lowest level in over 40 years, thanks to evolving social behaviors, shifting demographics, and stronger relationships among those who do marry.
The Decline in Divorce Rates
According to the refined divorce rate—which measures the number of divorces per 1,000 married women aged 15 and older—the U.S. saw 14.4 divorces per 1,000 married women in 2023. This figure has dropped significantly from 22.6 divorces per 1,000 in 1980, marking the lowest point in modern history.
The refined divorce rate differs from the general divorce rate, which includes all women regardless of marital status. This approach provides a clearer view of marriage stability by focusing only on those currently married. The decline reflects both stronger marital commitment and the changing profile of who gets married today.
Who Gets Married Now—and Why It Matters
A major factor in declining divorce rates is the growing influence of education and socioeconomic stability on marriage. Today, those who marry tend to be older, better educated, and more financially secure. Adults with higher education levels generally have lower divorce rates, partly because they tend to delay marriage and enter it with more maturity and financial stability.
Marriage itself has become less common among lower-income and less educated adults, a trend that contributes to the decline. As more people who might previously have entered early or unstable marriages choose to remain single or cohabit, the pool of married couples now represents a smaller but more stable group.
The Rise and Plateau of “Gray Divorce”
While the overall divorce rate is down, divorces among older adults—commonly known as “gray divorce”—have remained relatively high. Between 1990 and 2008, divorces among adults aged 50 and over tripled, rising from 3.9 to 11 per 1,000 married women in this age bracket. Since then, rates have stabilized around ten divorces per 1,000 women.
The phenomenon of gray divorce marks a generational divide. Many Baby Boomers, raised in an era of independence and personal growth, are redefining marriage even in later life. Financial and emotional independence has made it easier for older couples to separate when relationships no longer fulfill their expectations.
Timing and Duration of Marriage Before Divorce
Most divorces in America occur relatively early in marriage. Four in ten happen within the first decade, and nearly one-quarter within the first five to nine years. However, around 22% of divorces involve marriages that lasted 25 years or more.
Interestingly, the median duration of marriages ending in divorce has lengthened over time—from ten years in 2008 to twelve years in 2023. One contributing factor may be later marriage ages, creating longer stability before relationships face critical stress periods.
Demographic Differences in Divorce
Patterns of divorce differ significantly across race, ethnicity, and nativity. Among all American adults who have ever been married, Black Americans report the highest rates of divorce (41%), while Asian Americans report the lowest (16%). U.S.-born adults are more likely to have divorced than those born abroad, with 36% of U.S.-born respondents having experienced divorce compared to 22% of foreign-born individuals.
Education plays a critical role. Only 25% of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree have divorced, compared to 37% of those with a high school diploma or less. This gap highlights how education not only influences income but also affects relationship stability and conflict resolution.
Gender, Employment, and Divorce
Divorce also interacts differently with employment and gender. Among adults aged 18 to 64, 73% of divorced men are employed compared to 88% of married men. Conversely, 76% of divorced women are employed, a higher rate than the 71% of married women. For many women, divorce triggers financial independence or an increased need for employment, while some men experience reduced labor participation due to emotional or logistical adjustments.
Despite these shifts, research shows that unemployment does not necessarily follow divorce—it may often precede it. Studies indicate that unemployed married men are more likely to experience marital breakdown than their employed counterparts.
Economic Realities After Divorce
Divorce can take a lasting toll on financial well-being. In 2023, working-age divorced adults reported a median household income of approximately $84,900, compared with $118,600 for married adults. In terms of household wealth, divorced adults average about $98,700, far below the $326,900 of first-married adults or the $329,100 among remarried ones. However, divorced adults still hold more wealth than those who have never married, whose median household wealth is around $32,600.
These disparities highlight that marriage remains financially beneficial overall, even accounting for remarriages. The economic stability gained through dual incomes, shared housing, and long-term planning continues to be a major factor driving marriage retention.
Remarriage and the Formation of New Families
Divorce may not mark the end of family life—it often signals the beginning of a new one. Approximately two-thirds of divorced adults remarry at least once, and nearly half of these remarried individuals have biological children with their new partners.
Men are slightly more likely than women to remarry, with 68% of men compared to 64% of women entering new marriages. This difference persists partly because older women outnumber older men and are less likely to seek remarriage after widowhood or previous divorce.
In addition, many divorced adults who do not remarry enter new partnerships through cohabitation. In 2023, 19% of divorced men and 15% of divorced women were living with unmarried partners. The rise of cohabiting relationships reflects shifting social norms favoring flexibility without the legal commitments of marriage.
Emerging American Family Landscape
The broader American family system is changing rapidly, and these trends in divorce play a major part. With fewer marriages overall, each union tends to be more intentional and stable. Couples increasingly marry later in life, often after completing education, establishing careers, and achieving financial security.
Although divorce rates have fallen, the family structures becoming more common—such as blended or cohabiting families—are more diverse than ever. Modern relationships are shaped by evolving gender roles, economic realities, and a greater emphasis on personal fulfillment.
Why Fewer Marriages Are Ending Now
Several long-term social shifts explain this divorce decline:
Marriage has become more selective, with individuals choosing partners based on compatibility and shared values rather than social obligation.
Social stigma around remaining single has diminished, allowing people to delay or forgo marriage without societal pressure.
Couples increasingly seek counseling, education, and premarital support to strengthen communication and conflict management before crises emerge.
Rising educational attainment, especially among women, has enhanced relationship equality and decision-making stability.
What Comes Next for Marriage and Divorce in America
Looking ahead, experts anticipate that divorce rates may continue to decline modestly as marriage becomes a commitment largely pursued by highly educated and financially stable adults. However, the challenges of economic inequality and relationship dynamics will persist, requiring continued support for families navigating change.
New forms of partnership—like cohabiting families and long-term nonmarital relationships—will define future family life. Marriage, while less common, is becoming more resilient, characterized by stronger emotional connections, mutual respect, and shared goals.
The modern landscape of marriage and divorce in the United States reflects both continuity and change. Divorce has become less common, but it continues to shape new family structures through remarriage, cohabitation, and blended households.
This decline underscores a broader transformation: marriage today is more deliberate, selective, and sustainable than ever before. While the challenges of emotional and financial strain remain real, the path toward family stability in modern America continues to evolve—proving that love, commitment, and resilience remain vital forces in an ever-changing society.
