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There is Less Divorce Among People Who Marry Later

For women married by age 20, almost half of those marriages will end in divorce. Of those first married between ages 20 and 24, about 1/3 will end in divorce. Of those first married between ages 25 and 29, about a quarter will end in divorce. Of those who first marry over age 30, about 15% (roughly 1 in 6 or 7) end in divorce.

The following sets of statistics form the basis for these conclusions.

The lower numbers for the older women probably reflect a generational difference. This sharp break occurs starting with women who were born in 1940 (and after) and were 25 (or younger) in 1965.

Percent of women who were age 35-39 in June 1990 whose first marriage had ended in divorce by that date and:

• Who had been first married by age 20: 47.4%.
• Who had been first married between ages 20 and 24: 29.3%.
• Who had been first married between ages 25 and 29: 24.0%.
• Who had been first married at age 30 and over: 10.4%.

Percent of women who were age 40-44 in June 1990 whose first marriage ended in divorce and:

• Who had been first married by age 20: 46.6%.
• Who had been first married between ages 20 and 24: 32.1%.
• Who had been first married between ages 25 and 29: 25.6%.
• Who had been first married at age 30 and over: 11.7%.

Percent of women who were age 45-49 in June 1990 whose first marriage ended in divorce and:

• Who had been first married by age 20: 44.5%.
• Who had been first married between ages 20 and 24: 31.7%.
• Who had been first married between ages 25 and 29: 22.6%.
• Who had been first married at age 30 and over: 15.8%.

Percent of women who were age 50-54 in June 1990 whose first marriage ended in divorce...

• Who had been first married by age 20:34.4%.
• Who had been first married between ages 20 and 24: 26.3%.
• Who had been first married between ages 25 and 29: 27.9%.
• Who had been first married at age 30 and over: 14.7%.

Percent of women who were age 55-59 in June 1990 whose first marriage ended in divorce...

• Who had been first married by age 20: 32.9%.
• Who had been first married between ages 20 and 24: 19.5%.
• Who had been first married between ages 25 and 29: 18.3%.
• Who had been first married at age 30 and over: 16.9%.

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