Relationships are hard, as well as separations. Sometimes, there may not be a major reason for couples to grow apart. But initiating breakups when the other party isn’t expecting it can result in bad feelings like sadness, rejection, depression, mental trauma, etc. Most of the separations happen within the first year of a coming together. To be specific, data shows that approximately 70% of couples break up within the very first year of dating. And a majority of people go through a breakup after a long-term relationship.
Infidelity, personalities, human changes, lack of communication, trust and affection, and toxicity are common reasons for breakups. Unfortunately, such separations can hurt the victims. However, there are diverse resources to aid in some situations. The victim can try speaking to a therapist, reading self-help books, etc. The breakup statistics below provide more insight into some common breakups happening worldwide.
Major Breakup Statistics
- On average, 70% of breakups occur mostly in the first year of a relationship.
- 60% of couples make up after a breakup.
- Men heal faster than women after breakups.
- Women initiate the majority of divorces in the US at 70%.
- Most breakups happen around the Spring and Summer seasons.
- Around 57% of people break up in person.
- 37% of people believe text breakups are moderately acceptable.
- Infidelity is the cause of 60% of couple breakups.
- 71% feel 3 months is enough time to heal from breakups.
- 71% of breakup victims focus on thinking about their ex too frequently.
General Breakup Statistics
1. The Average American Experiences 3 Serious Relationship Breakups.
The circumstances of each couple are different, and the emotional impact this change can have on the partners may be significant. Relationships end for various reasons and are now a natural part of life. Statistics show that an average adult in the US has been through three major breakups. According to facts, the healing process for these Americans takes around 18 months.
2. The Average Breakup Rate for the First Year of a Relationship is 70%.
Research data shows that 70% of couples go apart, especially in their first year together. This could be because most are acquainting themselves in the first relationship year. It’s not uncommon for a couple to realize they don’t match up during the early stage. In addition, they may not have found a way around conflict resolution and accepting human differences.
3. 22% of Married People Experience a Breakup in Their First Five Years.
Three major factors powering the early end of marriages are death, separation, and divorce. However, divorce is not common during the first year of marriage. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, 22% of marriages end within the first five years. Divorce contributed largely to most marriage breakups within five years, which sometimes begin with a separation and end in a divorce. This survey was conducted among women aged between 15 and 44 around 2011-2015. The data also revealed that the marriages of 53% of these women ended after 20 years around the same time.
4. According to 2021 Breakup Statistics, 60% of Couples Return Together After a Breakup.
Factually, the reason behind a breakup has a major role in determining if couples will reconcile. The couple’s willingness is another factor that could decide if they would make up after a breakup. Statistics reveal that after relationship breakups, a massive 60% of couples reunite. Conversely, it is hard to come by any specific reason behind the large percentage.
Breakup Demographics Statistics
5. Women Take Longer to Get Over Breakups Than Men.
It is speculated that men heal faster than women in the long run; women do even better in future relationships than men. Women spend a lot of time feeling deep distress and taking care of themselves after a breakup before moving on. Most women experience emotional hurt right after a breakup, unlike men who hold back theirs until later. Although pains from a breakup are handled differently among individuals, women overcome them gradually, unlike their male counterparts.
6. Men Are More Likely to Hold onto Resentment and Anger than Women After a Breakup.
Both men and women are hurt after a disruption in the relationship. There’s no statistical proof that women hurt more than men after a breakup, as people experience pains differently. Most men refuse to express their emotions immediately until later. It is believed after a breakup; most men say negative emotions like anger due to resentment and possibly complicated feelings. Men have a less likelihood of getting over anger and resentment following a breakup but can move on to new relationships quicker than women. On the other hand, some women tend to act like men after a breakup.
7. 60% of Divorces in America Involve Couples Aged 25 to 39 Years.
According to research data, the average age for first divorce for most couples is 30 years. Conversely, on average, a whopping 60% of all divorces in the US comprise couples between 25 and 39 years. This demographic has the highest record of divorce cases, more than other age groups. Today’s world is so tense that any conflict between a husband and wife can take an emotional toll.
8. In the United States, 70% of All Divorces are Initiated by Women.
There’s a gender stereotype that women are the driving force behind marriage. However, the rate of divorce initiated by women proves this abortive. In most divorce cases previously, women were the ones who filed for 66% of divorce cases, increasing to 75% after some years. A report from the American Sociological Association reveals that women make up 70% of divorces, which is higher among women with a college education. The study also shows that women may likely feel restrained in marriage with tendencies to shoulder more emotional responsibility. Lastly, another reason women are initiators of divorce is that women are less tolerant of bad behavior.
Breakup Timing Statistics
9. Valentine’s Day is the Most Common Time for a Breakup.
Generally, for some, Valentine’s season is a time of roses, chocolate, dates, romantic moments, etc. However, the eve of Valentine’s Day and the day after it have the highest records of breakups than any other time of the year. Relationships are compared to others in this digital age and social media era. According to 2020 data, the Tuesday before Valentine’s Day is nicknamed “Red Tuesday,” a day for breakups.
10. Breakups Generally Tend to Take Place During the Holiday Period.
Apart from Valentine’s Day, holiday seasons, in general, are common times when breakups occur. Summer and spring are major seasons when breakups take place. Additionally, the Christmas season, especially two weeks before, is common when individuals break up with their spouses in relationships.
11. Monday is the Most Common Day of the Week for Breakups.
Most people feel differently about Monday, probably due to the stress or tension it brings. Considering this fact, it is no longer news that Monday has the highest record of breakups. Other statistical data shows that the highest number of divorce reports are made on Divorce Day, usually the first Monday of the New Year.
Different Breakup Techniques
12. Breaking Up in Person is the Preferred Choice of 57% of People.
The thought of ending a relationship and how to go about it can be tasking. Most people break by texts, phone calls, ghosting, and in person, which could be a dramatic result of a mess. A report from YouGov suggests that 57% of people consider breaking up in person. Most people think this method to be the most acceptable and polite, even though other methods are also effective. Additional statistical data from Pew Research in 2015 shows that 83% of participants find this method moderately acceptable and considerable.
13. According to 65% of People, the Most and Moderately Acceptable Way to Break Up is by Phone.
For 65% of survey participants, a phone call is the most socially acceptable way to break up. A report from the Pew Research survey confirms this statement to be true. Even though a large majority feel this breakup method is largely acceptable, a smaller percentage feel it is least adequate. About 31% feel breaking up on the Phone is the least acceptable means.
14. 37% of Survey Respondents Revealed That Breaking up Through a Text Message is the Most Undesirable Method.
In a survey, when participants were asked what method of breaking up is acceptable, here’s how they responded. 59% of participants admitted that sending a text message to break up with someone is the least acceptable means of breakup. Additionally, about 12% of respondents consider breaking up by text the most satisfactory method, and 25% feel it is moderately proper.
Rationale Behind Breakup
15. Lack of Commitment is the Cause of an Alarming 75% of Breakups Among Couples.
Divorce, broken marriages, or breakups may result from several factors, such as lack of trust, cheating, jealousy, etc. Marriage is undoubtedly not always easy, and according to statistics, more than half of all marriages end in divorce. Dedication among spouses is required for marriages and relationships to work. It is no longer shocking that a lack of commitment could cause serious marriage issues, resulting in breakups. Statistics show that a leading cause for 75% of marriage breakups is lack of commitment. The rate of breakups as a result of not being dedicated in marriage is higher compared to infidelity.
16. In a Survey, 60% of Couples Said That Infidelity is Why They Broke Up.
Partners not being faithful to each other can cause serious crises in their marriages. Aside from lack of commitment, another relationship and marriage destroyer is infidelity. Couples expect a level of loyalty and trust from their partners. When the trust is broken, it will most likely result in a breakup or divorce. Forgiveness among couples may offer second-chance but will adversely affect the relationship. Conversely, this is not the same in all cases, as 60% of couples divorce due to extra-marital affairs.
17. 58% of Couples Admit That Too Much Arguing and Conflict Led to Their Break Up.
Couples break up for several reasons; arguments and conflicts are among the top reasons for divorce and breakups. A statistical report shows that 58% of couples report arguing and excessive strife, resulting in their breakup. An argument can be considered a healthy form of conflict if it doesn’t engage hostility and fights. However, too many intolerable nuisances in marriages can cause couples to break up.
Consequences of Breakup
18. 58% of American Adults Believe That Breakups are Unpleasant and Dramatic.
Most people get emotionally committed to their partners, which can be distressing if they have no hint that the relationship won’t work. What could be worse than being served breakfast after all the fantastic and romantic moments shared with your partner? In a poll carried out among US adults in 2018 by YouGov, it was discovered that romantic relationships tend to be messy or dramatic at 58%. Aside from breakups being affected, they are sometimes traumatic and not as pleasant as they appear in movies.
19. Three Months is Enough to Heal After a Breakup, 71% of Survey Respondents Admit.
Breaking up a relationship shouldn’t be a crime or always have a negative experience. Take a space to heal, take some time to explore new things, and move on. People go through rough patches in their relationships, and a breakup is the next thing to consider. People heal differently when faced with breakups; for some, it takes 1 month and some years. However, a study from 2007 shows that 71% of people faced with a breakup feel better after three months. Other statistical data from 2009 shows that it takes around 18 months on average to heal from breakups and divorce. Furthermore, statistics from a 2017 survey show that many people recover from breakups after six months.
20. Even After Breaking Up With Their Partners, 59% of People Maintain Communication on Facebook.
For most partners that may have divorced or separated, Facebook is considered a means of keeping in touch in cases of co-parenting. Meanwhile, some who do not have kids together still use this platform to stay in touch. Statistics show that around 59% of individuals remain friends with their exes on Facebook after a breakup. In addition, about 42% of married folks check the profiles of their exes on Facebook and other social media platforms.
21. A Significant 71% of Persons Who Experience Breakups Think About Their Exes Frequently.
Letting go of memories of someone we’ve once been in a relationship with isn’t that easy. This is why 71% of people faced with breakups still think about their exes too much. Singles who have experienced breakups admit that thoughts of their ex-lovers wouldn’t let them believe straight and forge ahead with finding love again. The negative impact of thinking about exes can interfere with their present marriages. Surprisingly, about 36% admit that they find themselves attached to their exes, which isn’t convenient for their marriages.
Conclusion
Breakups are unarguably very difficult and a part of life that can affect one’s mental, emotional, and even physical health. Trust me, when the pain is over, you become wiser than Solomon and stronger than Samson. Are there ways to get out of this emotional trauma quickly and move on? Of course, yes. Getting involved in therapeutic sessions and being enlightened with self-help books and articles are a few ways to escape the pains caused by breakups.
Seeking help or joining support groups available are good ways to recover from a breakup, as these can make a huge difference. Should you know someone or find yourself in a breakup situation, this article will give comprehensive statistics on breakups and how to go about them.
