Money matters: How economic (in)stability influences UK relationship outcomes

In the UK, cohabitation is now the most common type of first live-in partnership. While some couples go on to marry or separate, others are increasingly choosing to continue to cohabit. One possible explanation for the changing trends in partnership is the growing economic precariousness experienced by young people.

To explore this, Dr Lydia Palumbo, Professor Ann Berrington and Professor Peter Eibich published a new paper in Population Studies that has been summarised in a recent CPC-CG Policy Briefing ‘Living in precarious partnerships’. The study analysed different-sex cohabitation and marriage over three periods (1991 – 1997, 1998 – 2008, 2009 – 2019) using the BHPS and UKHLS.

The main findings from the research were:

In the UK, cohabitation is now the most common type of first live-in partnership. While some couples go on to marry or separate, others increasingly continue to cohabit.

• Over the past 30 years, the length of cohabitation has increased. Among those cohabiting between 2009 and 2019, around 37% married and 27% separated, meaning nearly half remained cohabiting after five years.

• First-time cohabiting couples where both partners are employed and have savings are most likely to marry within five years.

• Men’s resources appear to be central to the outcome of the first cohabiting couples’ relationships, as non-employed men or men who are not saving are the least likely to marry.

• Couples with greater financial stability, including dual-employed couples are the least likely to separate. Female breadwinner cohabiting couples are most likely to separate, as are those where the woman feels financially insecure while the man does not.

• Policies should recognise the differing socio-economic characteristics of married and cohabiting couples, ensuring protection for those most vulnerable to instability and hardship.

Further reading

Living in precarious partnerships (CPC-CG Policy Briefing 81)

Living in precarious partnerships: Understanding how young men’s and women’s economic precariousness contribute to outcomes of first cohabitation (Population Studies)

Posted 24/04/2025 10:20