In a Growing Share of U.S. Marriages, Husbands and Wives Earn About the Same

Among married couples in the United States, women’s financial contributions have grown steadily over the last half century. Even when earnings are similar, husbands spend more time on paid work and leisure, while wives devote more time to caregiving and housework.

A growing share of U.S. husbands and wives are roughly the same age

Among young adults without children, men are more likely than women to say they want to be parents someday

Rising Share of U.S. Adults Are Living Without a Spouse or Partner

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Marriage & Divorce

A growing share of U.S. husbands and wives are roughly the same age

On average, husbands and wives were 2.2 years apart in age in 2022, down from 2.4 years in 2000 and 4.9 years in 1880.

Same-Sex Marriage Around the World

Sort through the more than 30 jurisdictions that have enacted laws allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry.

Cultural Issues and the 2024 Election

Voters who support Biden and Trump have starkly different opinions on many issues, and these two groups are divided internally as well.

Among young adults without children, men are more likely than women to say they want to be parents someday

Among adults ages 18 to 34, 69% of those who have never been married say they want to get married one day.

Striking findings from 2023

Across Asia, views of same-sex marriage vary widely

A median of 49% of people in 12 places in Asia say they at least somewhat favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally.

How people around the world view same-sex marriage

Among the 32 places surveyed, support for legal same-sex marriage is highest in Sweden, where 92% of adults favor it, and lowest in Nigeria, where only 2% back it.

Public Has Mixed Views on the Modern American Family

Americans are more pessimistic than optimistic about the institution of marriage and the family. At the same time, the public is fairly accepting of diverse family arrangements, though some are seen as more acceptable than others.

The Modern American Family

About 8 in 10 women in opposite-sex marriages say they took their husband’s last name

Younger women, women with a postgraduate degree and Democratic women are more likely to keep their last name after marriage.