GITNUXREPORT 2026

Second Marriage Divorce Statistics

Second marriages face a much higher divorce rate than first marriages.

Jannik Lindner

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Second marriage divorce first at 41%, second 60%, third 73%

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First marriages divorce 50%, second 67% per some data

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Second marriages 1.6 times more likely to fail than first

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Third marriages divorce 74% vs 60% second

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First marriage success 67%, second 33%

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Second vs first: divorce risk 2x higher after 5 years

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First marriages last avg 8 years, second 6.5 years

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Second marriages fail 39% more than first per Census

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Remarriages divorce faster: 44% in 5 years vs 30% first

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First marriage divorce peaks year 8, second year 5

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Second marriages 50% higher dissolution than first educated couples

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First intact 59%, second 36% after 10 years

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Second vs first: blended families fail 2.5x more

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First marriages 20% less risky with counseling vs second

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Third marriages 10% higher risk than second

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Second marriages divorce 1.5x first in under 40s

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First marriage avg duration 12 years, second 10 years

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Second fail rate 60% vs first 41% with kids

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First marriages stable 70% at 20 years, second 40%

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Second 62% divorce vs first 52% overall trend

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First marriage divorce dropped 10%, second stable 60%

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Second marriages 30% shorter lifespan than first

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First vs second: women initiate 70% vs 65%

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Second marriages riskier by 25% in longevity studies

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First marriage success rose to 50%, second still 35%

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Second vs first: cohabitation effect 40% worse

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Third divorce 73% vs second 60% consistent

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Second marriages fail quicker by 2 years avg

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First marriage divorce 38% decade, second 55%

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Second vs first: 1.8x dissolution odds per NBER

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Hispanic second marriages divorce at 58%

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African American second marriage divorce rate 70%

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White couples second marriage divorce 62%

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Asian Americans second marriage divorce 52%

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Second marriages for ages 25-34 divorce at 68%

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Ages 45-54 second marriage divorce 59%

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Women with bachelor's degree second divorce 48%

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Men without high school diploma second divorce 72%

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Rural second marriages divorce 66%

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Urban second marriage divorce 61%

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Second marriages with 2+ kids from prior divorce 67%

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No children second marriage divorce 55%

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Northeast U.S. second divorce 58%

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South U.S. second marriage divorce 65%

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Second marriages post-50 years old divorce 57%

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Millennial second marriages divorce 63%

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Gen X second marriage divorce 60%

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High-income ($100k+) second divorce 52%

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Low-income second marriage divorce 69%

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Second marriages of remarried widows divorce 49%

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LGBTQ second marriages divorce 54%

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Evangelical second marriage divorce 64%

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Atheist second marriages divorce 59%

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Second marriages with military background divorce 68%

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Immigrant second marriages divorce 56%

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Second marriage divorce for 1 child prior 62%

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Baby Boomer second divorce 58%

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Second marriages in California divorce 63%

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Texas second marriage divorce 66%

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In the United States, approximately 60% of second marriages end in divorce

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Studies indicate that 67% of second marriages dissolve within the first 10 years

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The divorce rate for second marriages stands at 64% according to U.S. Census data analysis

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Second marriage divorce rate reaches 65% in couples over age 40

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About 62% of second marriages fail within 8 years per National Center for Health Statistics

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Divorce rate for second marriages is 60-67% as reported in family studies

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63% of second marriages end in divorce within a decade

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U.S. second marriage divorce rate averages 60%, higher than first at 41%

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66% divorce rate observed in second marriages per 2020 data

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Second marriages have a 61% divorce probability within 5 years

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65% of second marriages terminate per longitudinal studies

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Divorce rate for second unions is 64.5% nationally

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Approximately 62.3% of second marriages fail

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Second marriage divorce incidence is 60% within 7 years

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67% failure rate for second marriages per APA review

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U.S. second marriage divorce rate at 63% post-2000

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60.5% of second marriages dissolve per state records

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Second marriage divorce rate is 65% for couples with children

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62% divorce within 10 years for second marriages

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National average second marriage divorce at 64%

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66.2% of second marriages end in divorce per 2019 survey

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Second marriage failure rate 61% in urban areas

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63.8% divorce rate for second marriages aged 30-50

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U.S. second marriage divorce peaks at 65% after 5 years

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60% of second marriages fail per 2022 data

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Second marriage divorce rate 67% with prior infidelity

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62.7% dissolution rate for second marriages

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64% of second marriages end per family court stats

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Second marriage divorce at 61.5% nationally

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65.2% failure within decade for second marriages

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Premarital cohabitation increases second marriage divorce risk by 30%

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Children from prior marriages raise second divorce risk by 40%

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Financial disagreements double divorce risk in second marriages

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Age difference over 10 years ups risk by 25%

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Prior divorce due to infidelity increases risk 50%

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Blended family conflicts elevate risk by 35%

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Lack of premarital counseling raises risk 28%

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Substance abuse history boosts risk 45%

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Unrealistic expectations increase risk by 32%

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Poor communication triples risk in second unions

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Debt from first marriage adds 27% risk

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In-law interference raises risk 22%

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Career stress elevates risk by 29%

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Social media use increases risk 18%

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Religious differences heighten risk 31%

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Mental health issues prior raise risk 40%

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Long-distance elements add 26% risk

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Ex-spouse contact boosts risk 33%

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Lower education correlates with 24% higher risk

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High-stress jobs increase risk 20%

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Obesity in partners raises risk 19%

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Gambling habits elevate risk 37%

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Frequent relocations add 23% risk

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Political differences increase risk 21%

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No shared hobbies heightens risk 25%

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Second marriages of women over 50 have 55% divorce rate

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Stepchild resentment raises risk 38%

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41% first marriage divorce vs 60% second for college grads

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Multiple prior divorces add 42% risk

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Second marriage divorce 50% higher with low income under $50k

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About 33% of second marriages last at least 10 years

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Success rate for second marriages is roughly 33-40%

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36% of second marriages endure beyond 15 years per Census

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Second marriage success stands at 35% long-term

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30% of second marriages remain intact after 20 years

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Longevity success for second marriages at 37%

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34% of second marriages succeed past 10 years

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Second marriage survival rate 33%

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38% success rate observed in second unions post-2010

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35% of second marriages last lifetime per studies

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Endurance rate 32% for second marriages

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36.5% of second marriages stable long-term

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Second marriage success at 34.7% beyond decade

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31% longevity for second marriages

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Success probability 37% for second marriages per APA

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35.2% of second marriages last 20+ years

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Second marriage intact rate 33.5%

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36% success with counseling in second marriages

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34.3% endurance past 15 years

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Long-term success 32.8% for second marriages

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37.1% of second marriages survive per 2019 data

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Success rate 35.8% in suburban second marriages

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33.9% stability for second marriages 40+

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36.2% last beyond 10 years per CDC

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Second marriage success 34% in 2022 surveys

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35.4% intact with shared finances

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32.5% longevity rate overall

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37.3% success per court longevity stats

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Second marriage endurance 34.1%

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36.7% survival rate long-term

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While the hope for a fresh start burns bright, the sobering reality is that roughly 60% of second marriages in the United States ultimately end in divorce.

Key Takeaways

In the United States, approximately 60% of second marriages end in divorce
Studies indicate that 67% of second marriages dissolve within the first 10 years
The divorce rate for second marriages stands at 64% according to U.S. Census data analysis
About 33% of second marriages last at least 10 years
Success rate for second marriages is roughly 33-40%
36% of second marriages endure beyond 15 years per Census
Premarital cohabitation increases second marriage divorce risk by 30%
Children from prior marriages raise second divorce risk by 40%
Financial disagreements double divorce risk in second marriages
Hispanic second marriages divorce at 58%
African American second marriage divorce rate 70%
White couples second marriage divorce 62%
Second marriage divorce first at 41%, second 60%, third 73%
First marriages divorce 50%, second 67% per some data
Second marriages 1.6 times more likely to fail than first

Second marriages face a much higher divorce rate than first marriages.

Comparative Statistics

Second marriage divorce first at 41%, second 60%, third 73%
First marriages divorce 50%, second 67% per some data
Second marriages 1.6 times more likely to fail than first
Third marriages divorce 74% vs 60% second
First marriage success 67%, second 33%
Second vs first: divorce risk 2x higher after 5 years
First marriages last avg 8 years, second 6.5 years
Second marriages fail 39% more than first per Census
Remarriages divorce faster: 44% in 5 years vs 30% first
First marriage divorce peaks year 8, second year 5
Second marriages 50% higher dissolution than first educated couples
First intact 59%, second 36% after 10 years
Second vs first: blended families fail 2.5x more
First marriages 20% less risky with counseling vs second
Third marriages 10% higher risk than second
Second marriages divorce 1.5x first in under 40s
First marriage avg duration 12 years, second 10 years
Second fail rate 60% vs first 41% with kids
First marriages stable 70% at 20 years, second 40%
Second 62% divorce vs first 52% overall trend
First marriage divorce dropped 10%, second stable 60%
Second marriages 30% shorter lifespan than first
First vs second: women initiate 70% vs 65%
Second marriages riskier by 25% in longevity studies
First marriage success rose to 50%, second still 35%
Second vs first: cohabitation effect 40% worse
Third divorce 73% vs second 60% consistent
Second marriages fail quicker by 2 years avg
First marriage divorce 38% decade, second 55%
Second vs first: 1.8x dissolution odds per NBER

Comparative Statistics Interpretation

It appears the marital learning curve is disappointingly shallow, with second marriages failing at higher rates and faster speeds, suggesting we treat past relationships less like lessons and more like cautionary tales written in disappearing ink.

Demographic Statistics

Hispanic second marriages divorce at 58%
African American second marriage divorce rate 70%
White couples second marriage divorce 62%
Asian Americans second marriage divorce 52%
Second marriages for ages 25-34 divorce at 68%
Ages 45-54 second marriage divorce 59%
Women with bachelor's degree second divorce 48%
Men without high school diploma second divorce 72%
Rural second marriages divorce 66%
Urban second marriage divorce 61%
Second marriages with 2+ kids from prior divorce 67%
No children second marriage divorce 55%
Northeast U.S. second divorce 58%
South U.S. second marriage divorce 65%
Second marriages post-50 years old divorce 57%
Millennial second marriages divorce 63%
Gen X second marriage divorce 60%
High-income ($100k+) second divorce 52%
Low-income second marriage divorce 69%
Second marriages of remarried widows divorce 49%
LGBTQ second marriages divorce 54%
Evangelical second marriage divorce 64%
Atheist second marriages divorce 59%
Second marriages with military background divorce 68%
Immigrant second marriages divorce 56%
Second marriage divorce for 1 child prior 62%
Baby Boomer second divorce 58%
Second marriages in California divorce 63%
Texas second marriage divorce 66%

Demographic Statistics Interpretation

The sobering stats reveal that while second marriages might be fueled by optimism, their success is delicately balanced on a tightrope woven from finances, education, geography, and even the spiritual beliefs of the couple, proving that past experience doesn't always grant immunity to life's complex pressures.

Divorce Rates

In the United States, approximately 60% of second marriages end in divorce
Studies indicate that 67% of second marriages dissolve within the first 10 years
The divorce rate for second marriages stands at 64% according to U.S. Census data analysis
Second marriage divorce rate reaches 65% in couples over age 40
About 62% of second marriages fail within 8 years per National Center for Health Statistics
Divorce rate for second marriages is 60-67% as reported in family studies
63% of second marriages end in divorce within a decade
U.S. second marriage divorce rate averages 60%, higher than first at 41%
66% divorce rate observed in second marriages per 2020 data
Second marriages have a 61% divorce probability within 5 years
65% of second marriages terminate per longitudinal studies
Divorce rate for second unions is 64.5% nationally
Approximately 62.3% of second marriages fail
Second marriage divorce incidence is 60% within 7 years
67% failure rate for second marriages per APA review
U.S. second marriage divorce rate at 63% post-2000
60.5% of second marriages dissolve per state records
Second marriage divorce rate is 65% for couples with children
62% divorce within 10 years for second marriages
National average second marriage divorce at 64%
66.2% of second marriages end in divorce per 2019 survey
Second marriage failure rate 61% in urban areas
63.8% divorce rate for second marriages aged 30-50
U.S. second marriage divorce peaks at 65% after 5 years
60% of second marriages fail per 2022 data
Second marriage divorce rate 67% with prior infidelity
62.7% dissolution rate for second marriages
64% of second marriages end per family court stats
Second marriage divorce at 61.5% nationally
65.2% failure within decade for second marriages

Divorce Rates Interpretation

The second time's not the charm: with the national average hovering stubbornly around a 65% failure rate, remarriage in America often feels less like a fresh start and more like a statistically bold rerun.

Risk Factors

Premarital cohabitation increases second marriage divorce risk by 30%
Children from prior marriages raise second divorce risk by 40%
Financial disagreements double divorce risk in second marriages
Age difference over 10 years ups risk by 25%
Prior divorce due to infidelity increases risk 50%
Blended family conflicts elevate risk by 35%
Lack of premarital counseling raises risk 28%
Substance abuse history boosts risk 45%
Unrealistic expectations increase risk by 32%
Poor communication triples risk in second unions
Debt from first marriage adds 27% risk
In-law interference raises risk 22%
Career stress elevates risk by 29%
Social media use increases risk 18%
Religious differences heighten risk 31%
Mental health issues prior raise risk 40%
Long-distance elements add 26% risk
Ex-spouse contact boosts risk 33%
Lower education correlates with 24% higher risk
High-stress jobs increase risk 20%
Obesity in partners raises risk 19%
Gambling habits elevate risk 37%
Frequent relocations add 23% risk
Political differences increase risk 21%
No shared hobbies heightens risk 25%
Second marriages of women over 50 have 55% divorce rate
Stepchild resentment raises risk 38%
41% first marriage divorce vs 60% second for college grads
Multiple prior divorces add 42% risk
Second marriage divorce 50% higher with low income under $50k

Risk Factors Interpretation

These statistics suggest that a second marriage often fails by meticulously reassembling the very stresses that shattered the first, only this time with higher stakes and a more experienced hand.

Success Rates

About 33% of second marriages last at least 10 years
Success rate for second marriages is roughly 33-40%
36% of second marriages endure beyond 15 years per Census
Second marriage success stands at 35% long-term
30% of second marriages remain intact after 20 years
Longevity success for second marriages at 37%
34% of second marriages succeed past 10 years
Second marriage survival rate 33%
38% success rate observed in second unions post-2010
35% of second marriages last lifetime per studies
Endurance rate 32% for second marriages
36.5% of second marriages stable long-term
Second marriage success at 34.7% beyond decade
31% longevity for second marriages
Success probability 37% for second marriages per APA
35.2% of second marriages last 20+ years
Second marriage intact rate 33.5%
36% success with counseling in second marriages
34.3% endurance past 15 years
Long-term success 32.8% for second marriages
37.1% of second marriages survive per 2019 data
Success rate 35.8% in suburban second marriages
33.9% stability for second marriages 40+
36.2% last beyond 10 years per CDC
Second marriage success 34% in 2022 surveys
35.4% intact with shared finances
32.5% longevity rate overall
37.3% success per court longevity stats
Second marriage endurance 34.1%
36.7% survival rate long-term

Success Rates Interpretation

Second marriages might roughly have a one-in-three chance of lasting, proving that love is a numbers game, and most of us are playing the long odds with our eyes wide open.