Young married men and women are the happiest

Among men and women ages 22 to 35, married young adults are the happiest. 34% of young married men reported being “very happy” as opposed to “pretty happy” or “not too happy.” This compares to just 14% of unmarried men. Likewise married young women are significantly happier than their unmarried peers: 41% of married women ages 22 to 35 report being very happy, compared to just 16% of young, unmarried women. Some evidence suggests that this is partly a selection effect—happier people are more likely to marry. But analysis from IFS senior fellow Lyman Stone shows that, yes, marriage makes people happier.

by Grant Bailey