Coupling Contraction

In 2018, well before Covid-19 arrived, marriage rates fell to 6.5 marriages per 1,000 persons, their lowest level since record keeping began in 1867! Interestingly, this is happening despite Millennials entering their “Peak Marriage” period, yet rates are still falling. From 1900-1980, marriages rates have been about 10/thousand but have been steadily falling since. Covid-19 will reduce marriage in the short-run by heightening financial insecurity and reducing social interactions.