Divorce rate and marriage rate fall in the United States

The latest divorce statistics show that the divorce rate in the United States is lower than ever in modern times. Along with this, the marriage rate has also been declining. In this guide, you’ll find more detail on these numbers and trends, and a look at what might be causing it all.

The most recent annual data is from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the references are from 2014. The 2015 numbers are not yet released at this time, and all numbers here are from the CDC.

In 2014, the divorce rate in the US fell to 3.2 per 1,000 people. This has been steadily declining since 2000, when the rate was 4.0 per 1,000 inhabitants. But it is not a new trend since 2000 either. In 1990 the rate was 4.7 per 1,000 and in 1981 the rate was 5.3 per 1,000. So, year after year and decade after decade, fewer people are getting divorced in the United States.

Now, let’s take a look at the marriage rate in the United States. In 2014, it fell to 6.9 per 1,000 inhabitants. This also represents a new modern low point. In 2000, the figure was 8.2 per 1,000 people and, along with the divorce rate, it too has been steadily declining.

So what is there to explain this? One likely answer is that the two numbers are actually related. This would mean that the people who are now not getting married are the same people who would have been more likely to get divorced.

It may be more culturally acceptable not to prioritize marriage now and focus on other personal or professional goals, or put it off until later in life. As such, these people may choose not to marry altogether, rather than make and perhaps regret the decision. But this is only part of the answer too.

To agree with the lower divorce rate, one must also consider immigrants entering the country. Many are from cultures where divorce is much more stigmatized than it is here. Certain ethnic groups can have a divorce rate of essentially 0%, and when large numbers of those people enter the country, that has the power to gradually drive down the entire divorce rate.

As a final point, fewer divorces also means fewer people available to remarry. So fewer divorces means a smaller pool of people falling back into the marriage-eligible category, which also helps drive that number down even further.

However, regardless of the latest divorce trends and statistics, it is always important to analyze your own situation based on what is best for you. If you need to get a divorce, be sure to consult with an experienced attorney in your local area. Either way, it’s intriguing to see the latest data and what that says about the state of marriage and divorce in the US right now.