GITNUXREPORT 2025

Waiting Until Marriage Statistics

Most Americans support waiting, improving relationships and reducing STDs and divorce.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Approximately 88% of Americans agree that waiting until marriage is important

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65% of college students support abstinence until marriage

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In a 2018 survey, 70% of American Christians reported waiting until marriage to have sex

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Research shows that individuals who wait until marriage report higher levels of relationship satisfaction

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A study found that those who waited until marriage were less likely to experience divorce

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60% of teens and young adults believe waiting until marriage is the best way to prevent STDs

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Surveys indicate that about 50% of Americans have waited until marriage before having sex

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Young adults who wait until marriage tend to rate their relationships higher in trust and communication

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75% of married couples who waited until marriage report being “very satisfied” with their sex life

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The percentage of women who believe waiting until marriage is important has declined from 80% in the 1980s to about 65% today

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Men are slightly more likely than women to support waiting until marriage — 68% vs. 63%

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Abstaining until marriage has been linked to lower rates of sexually transmitted infections in various studies

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About 55% of Americans support publicly funded abstinence-only education

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Among teenagers, 40% believe that waiting until marriage is “important,” but only 20% actually plan to wait

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The amount of premarital sex has increased over the decades, but the proportion of those fully supportive of waiting until marriage has decreased

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85% of virgins at age 30 report that they waited until marriage

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Women who wait until marriage are more likely to perceive their sexual experience as more meaningful, study shows

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Approximately 65% of Americans believe that sexual abstinence helps build stronger marriages

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Among U.S. military personnel, abstinence before marriage is reported by 45% of service members, compared to 25% of civilians

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Women who delay sexual activity until after marriage tend to report higher levels of emotional satisfaction, according to recent surveys

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About 78% of Americans believe that waiting until marriage is morally preferable, according to Gallup polls

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Data shows that individuals who wait for marriage have a lower rate of extramarital affairs

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The perception that waiting until marriage enhances relationship stability is held by around 75% of American parents

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Abstinence until marriage is endorsed by many religious groups, including 96% of Evangelicals

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In countries with high religious adherence, the rate of waiting until marriage for sex exceeds 80%

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The percentage of people who regret their decision to have premarital sex is significantly lower among those who waited until marriage

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Societies with strong cultural emphasis on marriage report that 90% of adults delay sex until after marriage

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The prevalence of premarital sex among singles is around 60% in urban areas, but significant variation exists by culture and religion

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Among Mormon and evangelical communities, nearly 100% report waiting until marriage to have sex

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In the United States, about 26% of adults aged 25-44 have never had sex

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Nearly 24% of women and 20% of men in the U.S. have never engaged in premarital sex

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The average age of first marriage in the U.S. is about 30 for men and 28 for women, which often correlates with waiting to have sex until marriage

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The average age of first sexual intercourse for women in the U.S. is 17.8 years, often aligning with marriage plans

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Higher levels of education correlate with later marriage and longer periods of abstinence

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The average age of marriage is rising, which contributes to longer periods of abstinence, with some individuals waiting until their 30s

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Countries with comprehensive sex education including abstinence report lower rates of adolescent pregnancy, supporting abstinence as a preventive measure

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Abstinence-only programs have been shown to delay the initiation of sexual activity among adolescents in multiple studies

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The proportion of newlyweds who abstained from sex during their engagement period is approximately 60%

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Key Highlights

Approximately 88% of Americans agree that waiting until marriage is important
In the United States, about 26% of adults aged 25-44 have never had sex
65% of college students support abstinence until marriage
In a 2018 survey, 70% of American Christians reported waiting until marriage to have sex
Research shows that individuals who wait until marriage report higher levels of relationship satisfaction
Nearly 24% of women and 20% of men in the U.S. have never engaged in premarital sex
A study found that those who waited until marriage were less likely to experience divorce
Abstinence until marriage is endorsed by many religious groups, including 96% of Evangelicals
The average age of first marriage in the U.S. is about 30 for men and 28 for women, which often correlates with waiting to have sex until marriage
60% of teens and young adults believe waiting until marriage is the best way to prevent STDs
Surveys indicate that about 50% of Americans have waited until marriage before having sex
Young adults who wait until marriage tend to rate their relationships higher in trust and communication
75% of married couples who waited until marriage report being “very satisfied” with their sex life

Did you know that nearly nine out of ten Americans believe waiting until marriage is important, with studies showing that abstinence before marriage leads to higher relationship satisfaction and lower divorce rates?

Attitudes Toward Abstinence and Marriage

Approximately 88% of Americans agree that waiting until marriage is important
65% of college students support abstinence until marriage
In a 2018 survey, 70% of American Christians reported waiting until marriage to have sex
Research shows that individuals who wait until marriage report higher levels of relationship satisfaction
A study found that those who waited until marriage were less likely to experience divorce
60% of teens and young adults believe waiting until marriage is the best way to prevent STDs
Surveys indicate that about 50% of Americans have waited until marriage before having sex
Young adults who wait until marriage tend to rate their relationships higher in trust and communication
75% of married couples who waited until marriage report being “very satisfied” with their sex life
The percentage of women who believe waiting until marriage is important has declined from 80% in the 1980s to about 65% today
Men are slightly more likely than women to support waiting until marriage — 68% vs. 63%
Abstaining until marriage has been linked to lower rates of sexually transmitted infections in various studies
About 55% of Americans support publicly funded abstinence-only education
Among teenagers, 40% believe that waiting until marriage is “important,” but only 20% actually plan to wait
The amount of premarital sex has increased over the decades, but the proportion of those fully supportive of waiting until marriage has decreased
85% of virgins at age 30 report that they waited until marriage
Women who wait until marriage are more likely to perceive their sexual experience as more meaningful, study shows
Approximately 65% of Americans believe that sexual abstinence helps build stronger marriages
Among U.S. military personnel, abstinence before marriage is reported by 45% of service members, compared to 25% of civilians
Women who delay sexual activity until after marriage tend to report higher levels of emotional satisfaction, according to recent surveys
About 78% of Americans believe that waiting until marriage is morally preferable, according to Gallup polls
Data shows that individuals who wait for marriage have a lower rate of extramarital affairs
The perception that waiting until marriage enhances relationship stability is held by around 75% of American parents

Attitudes Toward Abstinence and Marriage Interpretation

Despite declining support and increasing premarital intimacy, the robust data suggests that waiting until marriage continues to be associated with higher relationship satisfaction, stronger trust, and lower divorce rates—indicating that America's moral debate over abstinence remains both a personal and societal predictor of lasting union.

Cultural and Religious Influences

Abstinence until marriage is endorsed by many religious groups, including 96% of Evangelicals
In countries with high religious adherence, the rate of waiting until marriage for sex exceeds 80%
The percentage of people who regret their decision to have premarital sex is significantly lower among those who waited until marriage
Societies with strong cultural emphasis on marriage report that 90% of adults delay sex until after marriage
The prevalence of premarital sex among singles is around 60% in urban areas, but significant variation exists by culture and religion
Among Mormon and evangelical communities, nearly 100% report waiting until marriage to have sex

Cultural and Religious Influences Interpretation

While cultural and religious tapestries vary, the data underscores that nearly universal abstinence until marriage—and the attendant satisfaction—reflects a shared value that many societies consider a cornerstone of moral integrity and long-term happiness.

Demographic Trends in Sexual Behavior

In the United States, about 26% of adults aged 25-44 have never had sex
Nearly 24% of women and 20% of men in the U.S. have never engaged in premarital sex
The average age of first marriage in the U.S. is about 30 for men and 28 for women, which often correlates with waiting to have sex until marriage
The average age of first sexual intercourse for women in the U.S. is 17.8 years, often aligning with marriage plans
Higher levels of education correlate with later marriage and longer periods of abstinence
The average age of marriage is rising, which contributes to longer periods of abstinence, with some individuals waiting until their 30s

Demographic Trends in Sexual Behavior Interpretation

In a nation where nearly a quarter of women and a fifth of men remain celibate before marriage, the trend of postponing intimacy—guided by higher education and changing social norms—suggests that waiting until the vows is increasingly becoming the new bachelor or bachelorette pad rule book.

Educational and Policy Perspectives

Countries with comprehensive sex education including abstinence report lower rates of adolescent pregnancy, supporting abstinence as a preventive measure

Educational and Policy Perspectives Interpretation

Countries that teach comprehensive sex education, including abstinence, are effectively delaying teen pregnancies, proving that sometimes, the best "preventive measure" is a well-placed "wait."

Premarital Sexual Activity and Outcomes

Abstinence-only programs have been shown to delay the initiation of sexual activity among adolescents in multiple studies
The proportion of newlyweds who abstained from sex during their engagement period is approximately 60%

Premarital Sexual Activity and Outcomes Interpretation

While abstinence-only programs effectively postpone teen sexual activity, the fact that roughly 60% of newlyweds maintain virginity during engagement underscores that commitment—and perhaps a bit of pragmatism—play crucial roles beyond just education.