I do?

In the last 50 years, marriage has declined remarkably. People marry much less, and much older than they ever have. This profound change to our society has gone largely unremarked upon, yet it carries huge implications. The data shows that cohabiting couples (unmarried couples living together) are more likely to be lonely, have relationships that are much less stable, and domestic abuse rates that are much higher.

This new report, I do?, comes as the CSJ reveals that male pensioners are much more likely to tie the knot than men in their early twenties, exposing the scale of the collapse in marriage rates among men and women over the past few decades.

Dan Lilley, Programme Lead at the Centre for Social Justice, said:

“This is devastating news. Marriage is one of the most important foundations of society with clear benefits across our country. Better outcomes for children, less loneliness, greater prosperity and birth rates. This is without mentioning the productivity and other economic benefits”

“People want to get married. We need to be helping foster good relationships and an environment where marriage is much easier.”