The Blubber

More Americans Are Finding Love as Number of Single Adults Declines

For the first time in nearly two decades, the share of unpartnered adults in the United States has declined, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of Census Bureau data released Wednesday. This shift coincides with a slight increase in the number of people reporting they are married, rising from 50% to 51%, signaling a potential change in America’s relationship dynamics.

"Singledom has peaked," said Dr. Richard Fry, a labor economist who conducted the study and has worked as a research analyst at Pew for 23 years. While Fry couldn’t predict whether this trend would continue, he noted that the findings suggest a possible shift in relationship patterns. The survey defined single adults as those who are not married, living with a partner, or in a committed romantic relationship, though a small percentage reported casual dating.

In 2000, 38% of U.S. adults were unpartnered, but that number rose steadily, peaking at 44% in 2019. By 2023, however, it had declined to 42%, according to Fry’s research.

While certain demographics—such as young adults (18-24), older women, and those without a high school diploma—were more likely to remain unpartnered, the overall trend pointed toward more people forming relationships. The percentage of adults living with an unmarried partner increased from 6% to 7%, and the number of married individuals edged up by one percentage point from 2019 to 2023.

Despite no significant rise in new marriages, fewer divorces contributed to the trend. The divorce rate hit a peak in 2012, with 2% of married adults reporting they had ended their marriage in the prior year. By 2023, that number had dropped to a record-low 1.4%, according to Pew.

Financial and Economic Impact

Beyond relationships, these findings have economic implications, as partnered adults tend to be financially better off. Research from The Ohio State University, based on a study of 9,000 people, found that divorce reduces a person's wealth by about three-quarters, while marriage nearly doubles wealth compared to staying single.

The Pew study, citing a 2023 Federal Reserve survey, further reinforced this idea. It found that 64% of unpartnered adults said they were doing "at least okay" financially, compared to 77% of partnered adults.

"From a purely economic point of view, adults with partners seem to be better off financially," Fry explained.

Men, in particular, tend to benefit financially from marriage. Single men are less likely to be employed, as women often seek financially stable partners, Fry noted.

"Economically successful men are more attractive partners, but marriage also makes them more successful at work," Fry said. "Men tend to be more productive once they get married."

For some, staying partnered has been a lifelong choice. Zach Thompson, for example, has never been single in adulthood. He met his wife, Jenna, in middle school, remained friends through high school, got engaged, and married in 2020.