married Archives - Marriage Foundation

Fewer than half of UK adults are married

New figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the proportion of adult population who are married has fallen below 50%. This is the continuation of

Married adults now less than half of the population

PRESS RELEASE … IMMEDIATE The latest population estimates from the Office for National Statistics show that the proportion who are married has fallen below half for the first time. Societies

Has ONS underestimated family breakdown?

Census data released today tell us the exact numbers of married, cohabiting and lone parent families in England & Wales in 2021. My analysis shows that of the 7.0 million

Marriage still on top – New ONS population stats for 2019 released

ONS has released new population estimates of marital status and living arrangement in England & Wales from 2002 to 2019 Here’s what Marriage Foundation Research Director Harry Benson has to

Family breakdown costs £50bn a year

Family breakdown costs the UK an estimated £50 billion every year — most of which is spent supporting families who move from one to two households when relationships end. Beyond the financial cost, the social and emotional toll on children can be lifelong.

UK Among highest family breakdown in Europe

The UK continues to experience some of the highest levels of family breakdown in Europe. While divorce rates have declined, this improvement has not been matched among cohabiting couples, who remain significantly more likely to separate.

Lower Divorce Rates – Higher Lone Parents

Divorce rates have fallen dramatically over the past three decades. Yet over the same period, the number of lone-parent families has doubled — because couples who live together without marrying or forming a civil partnership are three times more likely to separate than those who do.

Formal commitment is strongly associated with family stability

Stability remains the norm when parents are married or in a civil partnership — around

75% stay together as their children grow up, compared with 30% of cohabiting parents. The act of formal commitment changes how couples think and behave about their relationship, creating a foundation that is more likely to endure.

The parents’ relationship plays a vital role in children’s development

The single most important factor in a child’s healthy development is the stability of their parents’ relationship. Our research consistently shows that family breakdown is the strongest predictor of teenage mental health problems — and that formal commitment through marriage or civil partnership offers the best protection against this instability.

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Fewer than half of UK adults are married

Married adults now less than half of the population

Has ONS underestimated family breakdown?

Marriage still on top – New ONS population stats for 2019 released

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