Are your chances of divorce REALLY 50/50?

Are your chances of divorce REALLY 50/50?

While it is true that the average couple marrying for the first time now has a 40-50% chance of divorce, there are multiple factors that determine what an individuals actual chances of divorce are.  According to the 2010 State of Our Unions study by The University of Virginia’s National Marriage Project, for many individuals, the actual chances of divorces falls far below 50%.

Many factors decrease the risk of divorce significantly.  For example, earning over $50,000 annually decreases the risk of divorce by 30%.  Graduating from college decreases the chance by 25%; marrying over the age of 25 decreases the risk by 24%; and religious affiliation decreases the chance by 14%.   In contrast, some of these factors increase an individuals chance of divorce.  Making under $25,000 annually, having a child before marriage, and not completing high school are all factors that tend to increase the risk of divorce.

For more information, access the 2010 State of Our Unions study at the link above.

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