marriage covid

The Marriage rate has been decreasing. Surprised? Blame COVID?

Marriage During COVID-19

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), for data compiled for the United States: the marriage rate is 6.1 per 1,000 total population. And there are 2,015,603 marriages with 746,971 divorces (45 reporting States and D.C.). 

Overall, it’s been widely reported that roughly 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce or separation. What’s more, a second marriage increases the likelihood of divorce–at a whopping 60 percent, and 73% of all third marriages result in a divorce. 

In fact, the marriage rate has reportedly been consistently decreasing for many years. Couples have also reportedly been delaying marriage. More recently, COVID can be blamed for much of this…After all, the pandemic has caused extreme financial stress, family stress, and more for countless people across the world. Plus, it’s just more difficult to plan a marriage if you can’t do an in-person wedding or have all your guests attend. It’s just so uncertain in these times whether you’ll get sick or a family member as well. 

As reported in The Hill: “Since the start of the 21st century, the U.S. marriage rate has declined from more than eight marriages per 1,000 down to six marriages per 1,000 population in 2019. … In 2020, the proportion of households consisting of married couples fell to 49 percent.” People have also reportedly been delaying marriage too. 

So, why do married couples split anyways? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the main reasons for divorce include incompatibility (43%), infidelity (28%), and money issues (22%). “Incompatible” similar to “irreconcilable differences” is a very broad umbrella that can account for a whole host of reasons, such as couples simple falling apart overtime or simply no longer getting along…there may not be a specific reason to pin-point either. It’s just not working anymore. 

“Infidelity” is more straightforward, yet often is difficult to prove. One party may have cheated on the other or both parties may have been unfaithful. While this may have no affect on the outcome of the divorce – giving you or your spouse more, or less, of the assets and/or spousal support – it is a basis for filing for divorce based upon “no fault” or “adultery”.

And “money issues” can run the gamut. A spouse may have been laid off at work and unable to find employment. The couple may have taken on too much debt, such as credit cards or car loans or a mortgage they can no longer afford or student loan debt. A risky business venture investment may have failed. Not to mention, many people come into a marriage already with thousands of dollars in debt. Or the wife may suddenly make a lot more money than the husband and no longer want to split everything. The couple may be suffering, as well, from medical debt from a unforeseen procedure. Plus, when you factor children into the mix, another mouth to feed and clothe and support, the financial strain only increases. Money isn’t the root of all evil, but it is indeed a big factor in many failed marriages. 

Nobody goes into a marriage thinking it will end in divorce. Rather, people in love believe they will defy the statistics.  Still, the numbers don’t lie—divorce is inevitable for many couples. 

But people are still falling in love and planning weddings and marriages, with that, getting divorced too. 

If you’re looking to tie-the-knot (or un-tie it), contact the Sabra Law Group in Manhattan at (646) 472-7971. The firm’s expertise is in all forms of family law, such as alimony, divorce, prenuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements, child custody battles, child support, domestic violence, and restraining orders.