Yes, studies do tend to show that younger marriages have higher divorce rates.
For example, one study identified 32 as the age at which couples can get married to have the lowest possible divorce rate. It is 11% higher for every year before that. So a couple that decides to get married right after high school, when they are just 18 or 19 years old, would have much higher odds of divorce than a couple that waited until they were 32.
This sometimes leads to the assumption that divorce rates are always falling as people get older, but the same studies found that this is not actually the case. The rate starts going back up by 5% per year after 32. So, to have the lowest odds of getting a divorce, it is important to avoid a young marriage, but you also do not want to wait too long.
Why does age affect divorce rates?
There are many reasons why age can impact divorce rates. Young couples may be more likely to grow apart over time, for instance. They may not know each other as well because they have not been dating for very long. They can also face a lot of financial instability at that young age, which can make a marriage stressful.
This certainly does not mean that a young marriage cannot work or that no one should get married after they have turned 32. But it is helpful to think of some of the complications that can be created by marriage at different ages and why that may eventually lead to a divorce.
For couples who do find themselves contemplating the end of their marriage, they may have many questions about child custody rights, property division and much more. It can help to work with an experienced family law attorney at this time.