The marriage rate has been decreasing for decades, and more people than ever before are living solo: nearly 40% of adults in the U.S. are unpartnered, up from 29% in 1990, according to the Pew Research Center. About half aren't interested in dating or a relationship.
Evidence suggests that people in romantic relationships tend to be happier and have greater life satisfaction than singles, but-as with all relationships-it's complicated. Research has found, for instance, that people in unhappy marriages have equal or worse health outcomes compared with those who were never married. Another important caveat: the singles who have the hardest time with their relationship status tend to be divorced people. Widowhood is also associated with worse mental health.
Researchers are only beginning to understand how singlehood affects health and happiness, and the solo life comes with surprising perks, says Bella DePaulo, a (happily single) social psychologist. "Once I realized that single was who I really was, and that was never going to change, it was wonderful," she says.
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