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Are Unmarried Couples Happier?

Published in Happiness & Marriage 1 min read

Based on available data, no, unmarried couples are not happier than married couples.

According to research, married people consistently report higher levels of happiness compared to their unmarried counterparts. Over a survey period, married individuals indicated happiness levels that were 12% to 24% higher than unmarried individuals, depending on the year. This consistent trend suggests a correlation between marital status and reported happiness.

Here's a summary of the findings:

Happiness Metric Married Individuals Unmarried Individuals
Reported Happiness Levels Consistently higher Consistently lower
Difference 12% - 24% higher 12% - 24% lower

This difference suggests that marriage, as an institution, is often associated with a greater sense of well-being and happiness compared to remaining unmarried.

It is crucial to note that while these are the trends, personal experiences and individual relationships can vary greatly. It's possible to find happy and fulfilled individuals in both marital and non-marital contexts. However, based on broad survey data, the correlation favors married couples.

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