The question of whether married or single people are happier has been debated for years. Studies comparing the two groups have produced mixed results. While some research suggests married people experience greater life satisfaction overall, others indicate single people report higher levels of happiness in certain areas. Below we’ll explore the evidence on both sides of this question.
Benefits of marriage
There are several reasons why marriage may promote greater happiness and life satisfaction:
- Companionship – Married people have a constant companion and source of support.
- Financial benefits – Married couples can share expenses and financial responsibilities.
- Better health – Married people tend to have better physical and mental health.
- Longer life expectancy – Marriage is associated with lower mortality rates.
- Greater meaning and purpose – Marriage provides a sense of family and legacy.
Let’s examine some of the key research on the potential happiness benefits of marriage:
Married people report higher life satisfaction
Several studies have found married people rate their overall life satisfaction higher than single, divorced, or widowed individuals. For example, a 2010 review looking at data from multiple countries concluded that marriage was associated with greater happiness and life satisfaction across cultures.
Similarly, a 2018 study following over 12,000 older adults in England over a 10 year period found married participants reported higher life satisfaction than single, divorced or widowed individuals.
Married people report less depression
In addition to greater life satisfaction, research suggests marriage may protect against developing depression. For example, a 2017 meta-analysis combining data from 26 studies found that compared to divorced, widowed and never married individuals, married people had a 20% lower risk of experiencing depression.
This protective effect may stem from the social and emotional support married partners provide one another. Having someone to turn to during difficult times can reduce stress and feelings of loneliness that contribute to depression.
Marriage linked to better physical health
A robust body of research has linked marriage to better health outcomes. In a 2000 review, married people were found to have lower risk factors for disease, quicker recovery from illness, and longer survival rates compared to unmarried individuals.
Possible reasons for this marriage benefit include:
- Healthier behaviors – Married couples monitor each other’s health and promote positive habits.
- Social support – Caring for a sick spouse may improve recovery.
- Reduced stress – Marriage provides companionship and an outlet for stress.
While selection bias may play a role (healthier people being more likely to marry), longitudinal studies controlling for initial health still observe a protective effect of marriage on health over time.
Marriage associated with greater wealth
On average, married couples have greater household wealth than unmarried individuals. Data from the Federal Reserve Board’s Survey of Consumer Finances shows:
| Marital status | Median net worth |
|---|---|
| Married couples | $167,000 |
| Single males | $44,200 |
| Single females | $25,000 |
Married households benefit from combined incomes and the ability to share expenses. This greater financial security can relieve stress and increase life satisfaction.
Benefits of being single
Despite evidence that marriage offers some well-being advantages, single life also has its perks. Here are some of the potential upsides of staying unmarried:
- Independence – Single people don’t have to compromise or coordinate with a partner.
- Less obligations – Singles may have more free time without spouse or childcare duties.
- Financial freedom – Singles can spend their income however they want.
- More social connections – Single people tend to have more friends and broader social networks.
- Career focus – Being single allows people to prioritize professional goals.
Let’s review key research findings on the factors linked to greater happiness for single individuals:
Single people report greater personal autonomy
Studies consistently find that unmarried individuals enjoy greater freedom and independence than married couples. Without a spouse, single people don’t have to negotiate decisions or make compromises on how to spend their time and money.
A 2010 study surveyed over 1,000 single and married adults about their daily experiences. Single participants reported greater autonomy in how they structured their day and greater ability to focus on personal goals and interests.
Single people experience less stress from obligations
While marriage provides social support, it also comes with added responsibilities and duties as a spouse and possibly a parent. These obligations can become sources of anxiety and stress.
In a 2016 study, married participants reported higher feelings of obligation and pressure in their daily lives than single participants.
For single people, not having to worry about a spouse or kids can reduce daily stress and the strain of balancing commitments to work and family.
Singles have more active social lives
Some studies suggest unmarried individuals may have more active social lives than married couples. With more free time and fewer home obligations, singles tend to spend more time with friends and on social activities outside the home.
In one 1989 survey of over 800 adults, single participants were more likely than married participants to spend evenings socializing with friends and neighbors.
Having a strong social circle and community integration is linked to higher well-being and can offset risks of loneliness for single people.
Does happiness change after marriage?
Many studies look at differences between groups of single and married people. But does tying the knot actually change a person’s happiness? Research on how marriage impacts individual happiness over time is mixed.
Some studies show marital happiness decreases over time for many couples. The excitement and satisfaction reported in the “honeymoon period” of early marriage tends to wane. Pressures from work, children, and familiarity with a spouse can strain marriages.
However, other studies find most couples report consistent happiness throughout marriage. In a 2012 study tracking individuals for 15 years, 80% of spouses reported their marital satisfaction stayed stable or increased over time.
While some couples grow apart, others find happiness through developing better communication skills, sharing experiences, and adapting to each other’s changing needs.
Does parenthood make married people happier?
Like marriage, having children is often seen as a key life milestone. But does raising kids actually increase happiness for married couples?
Evidence on the impact of parenthood on marital satisfaction is mixed. Some studies find having children negatively affects marital happiness, at least temporarily. Lack of sleep, less leisure time, and increased financial pressures can strain partnerships.
However, other studies find children have little effect on marital satisfaction compared to other factors like affection between spouses. While parenthood adds stress, it also brings joy, meaning and shared purpose that can strengthen bonds.
Much may depend on marital quality before having kids. Strong marriages tend to adjust to children better through good communication and sharing parenting duties.
Does age affect marital satisfaction?
Marital happiness can fluctuate at different life stages. During childrearing years, couples often report lower satisfaction as they struggle to balance parenting and work. But satisfaction often rises again in later years after children leave home.
In their 60s and 70s, many couples describe greater contentment and companionship, having had decades to get to know each other. Of course satisfaction depends on health, which can decline near the end of life and strain marriages.
Overall, research suggests older married couples tend to be the most satisfied. A 2019 study of over 44,000 Germans found marital satisfaction peaked between ages 70-79 before declining in the 80+ group.
Conclusion
In reviewing the research, marriage seems to confer many benefits – companionship, support, better health and wealth. Married individuals report higher life satisfaction and lower depression on average than unmarried groups.
However, single life has advantages too – greater autonomy, more active social lives, and freedom from marital obligations. And staying single eliminates the risk of ending up in an unhappy marriage, which could be worse for well-being than staying single.
Ultimately, no one marital status guarantees happiness. Life satisfaction depends more on the quality of relationships, the ability to manage stress and obligations, fulfilling work, and health.
While marriage may provide greater happiness for some, staying single brings different rewards. What matters most is having strong social ties, engaging work, and a purposeful life – whether single or married.