4 Factors That Increase the Likelihood of Divorce

Although there has been a significant decrease in the occurrence of divorce in the past decades, marriage has become a least of an option now than before.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that people have lost faith in marriage. If anything — and however few, those who ultimately choose to marry are more adept at staying married.

According to studies, here’s what you need to avoid to lower your divorce risk and make your marriage last.

1. Marrying Young

Facts suggest that people who marry as teens end up divorcing a few years later. This reflects the divorce trend at around age 30.

A person’s perspective on life changes as he or she approaches mature age. So, it’s not surprising that they want to leave a relationship they rashly enter.

However, waiting too long before tying the knot doesn’t sound good either. In recent years, there are data supporting a higher divorce percentage for people who marry later in life — around their mid to late 30s.

Consequently, marrying at least after 25 makes stronger, lasting marriages. Men or women this age have reached a level of maturity or reasoning, and have acquired useful experiences in life.

2. Cohabitating before Marriage

Contrary to popular belief, marrying pre-marriage increases the chance of divorce later on. These couples start strong, but their marriage is likely to fall apart after only five years.

In fact, cohabitating couples have a 33% higher chance of divorce compared to those who only live together after marriage. Turns out, “testing the waters” isn’t effective in trying to make future marriages last. It only somehow instills a lack of trust and faith in their relationship, which is why they feel the need to test run.

Whereas, couples who live together only after marriage have more faith and commitment to making their marriage last. They don’t easily resort to divorce once faced with marital challenges.

3. Missing College

The likelihood of divorce increases with a person’s low education level. Nearly half of couples who did not complete high school end up divorcing. This could be because of their limited intellectual, social, and even financial means.

They don’t have access to more wealth and resources. And, as everyone knows, money conflicts are the cause of most divorce cases. When the other half is unemployed, the chances of divorce increase.

On the other hand, well-educated people generate more income and are more likely to avail themselves of marriage counseling. Such explains why their marriage lasts longer.

4. Location

Depending on the state or country, divorce is also more common. In the US, Nevada has the highest divorce cases at more than 13%. All other states only have around 8% divorce rates.

Outside the US, a person is more likely to maintain a marriage when marrying an Asian. More so if they marry a Cebu woman or any woman from the Philippines, it won’t even be an option as divorce isn’t legal in the country.

Turns out, location is also a crucial factor in determining its likelihood.

Marriage is supposed to be a one-time and lasting thing. For people who still believe the same, checking these factors out, along with making sure they’re marrying for the right reasons, will lower their odds of divorce.