The age gap between husbands and wives in the United States has narrowed over the past 20 years. On average, husbands and wives were 2.2 years apart in age in 2022, down from 2.4 years in 2000 and significantly lower than the 4.9-year gap in 1880.according to a new Pew Research Center analysis.
CURRENT AGE GAP STATISTICS
- Same-Age Marriages: In 2022, 51% of opposite-sex marriages featured spouses within two years of each other in age, up from 46% in 2000.
- Husbands Older Than Wives: 40% of marriages had a husband who was three or more years older than his wife, a decrease from 43% in 2000.
- Wives Older Than Husbands: 10% of marriages had a wife who was three or more years older than her husband. This share, which peaked at 11% in 2000, has slightly decreased.
WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO HAVE A SAME-AGE MARRIAGE?
Several factors influence the likelihood of being in a same-age marriage:
- Education Level: More than half (55%) of husbands with at least a bachelor’s degree are in a same-age marriage, compared to 48% of those with some college education or less.
- Marriage Order: Husbands in their first marriage are more likely to be close in age to their wives (56%) compared to those in subsequent marriages (32%). Additionally, only 35% of first-time married husbands have a wife who is three or more years younger, versus 56% of those remarried.
- Ethnicity: White husbands (53%) are more likely to be in a same-age marriage than Hispanic (46%), Black (45%), or Asian (45%) husbands. Conversely, about 49% of Asian husbands have a wife who is three or more years younger, compared to 42% of Hispanic, 43% of Black, and 38% of White husbands.
IMPACT OF AGE GAPS ON WELL-BEING
The size of the age gap in marriages can significantly affect spousal well-being. Notably, larger age differences can lead to increased widowhood risks for younger spouses. As the trend of husbands being older than their wives declines, the incidence of widowhood among older women has also decreased. Today, 30% of women aged 65 and older are widows, down from 45% in 2000.
IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH
Understanding these trends helps shed light on changing marriage dynamics and their potential effects on family structures and individual well-being. Continued research is essential to further explore how these patterns influence long-term health and social outcomes.