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Cohabiting families 'increasing' Cohabiting families 'increasing'
(about 3 hours later)
Cohabiting couples with and without children are the fastest-growing UK family type, official figures show.Cohabiting couples with and without children are the fastest-growing UK family type, official figures show.
The Office for National Statistics' (ONS) study found the number of cohabiting families increased by 65% in the 10 years up to 2006.The Office for National Statistics' (ONS) study found the number of cohabiting families increased by 65% in the 10 years up to 2006.
It also found that during the same period the number of married people with or without children fell by 4%.It also found that during the same period the number of married people with or without children fell by 4%.
The study said family types varied according to age, with young people more likely to cohabit with a partner.The study said family types varied according to age, with young people more likely to cohabit with a partner.
READ THE FINDINGS Focus on Families 2007 [1.10 MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereREAD THE FINDINGS Focus on Families 2007 [1.10 MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
The Focus on Families study found cohabiting families increased in the decade up to 2006 from 1.4 million to 2.3 million, while the number of married families fell to 12.1 million.The Focus on Families study found cohabiting families increased in the decade up to 2006 from 1.4 million to 2.3 million, while the number of married families fell to 12.1 million.
But despite the rise, married couples with or without children are still biggest family group - accounting for 71% of the UK's 17.1 million families.But despite the rise, married couples with or without children are still biggest family group - accounting for 71% of the UK's 17.1 million families.
Younger people were more likely to cohabit, the ONS said, with half of cohabiting families in 2001 headed by a person under the age of 35.Younger people were more likely to cohabit, the ONS said, with half of cohabiting families in 2001 headed by a person under the age of 35.
See a graph of age distribution by family type See a graph of age distribution by family type
Some 21% of women aged 25 to 29 between 2001 and 2003 had lived with a partner before they were 25, the study found.Some 21% of women aged 25 to 29 between 2001 and 2003 had lived with a partner before they were 25, the study found.
The proportion of married and cohabiting couples with children varies across the UKEnlarge Map
This compared with 1% three decades ago.This compared with 1% three decades ago.
This increase in cohabitation did not fully explain the decline in marriage, the ONS said, because its research found fewer women aged between 25 and 29 were forming any union - either marriage or cohabitation - before the age of 25.This increase in cohabitation did not fully explain the decline in marriage, the ONS said, because its research found fewer women aged between 25 and 29 were forming any union - either marriage or cohabitation - before the age of 25.
"This suggests a delay in partnership formation for younger generations of women," it said."This suggests a delay in partnership formation for younger generations of women," it said.
Health effectsHealth effects
The two groups least likely to have got married before the age of 45 are men with no qualifications and highly-qualified women, the ONS said.The two groups least likely to have got married before the age of 45 are men with no qualifications and highly-qualified women, the ONS said.
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The report suggested such living arrangements could have an effect on health.The report suggested such living arrangements could have an effect on health.
"Partnership continues to be the healthiest state in general. There are health benefits associated with partnership, especially marriage, but there are variations by sex," it said."Partnership continues to be the healthiest state in general. There are health benefits associated with partnership, especially marriage, but there are variations by sex," it said.
"In particular, older single women have better health then married women on many indicators of health status.""In particular, older single women have better health then married women on many indicators of health status."
Meanwhile, the research found lone parents increased by 8% to 2.6 million, with lone mothers tending to be younger than lone fathers.Meanwhile, the research found lone parents increased by 8% to 2.6 million, with lone mothers tending to be younger than lone fathers.
One in three lone mothers and one in ten lone fathers were under 35, the ONS said.One in three lone mothers and one in ten lone fathers were under 35, the ONS said.
The study also found that by 2006, the average number of children in a family had fallen to 1.8 - down from 2.0 in 1971.The study also found that by 2006, the average number of children in a family had fallen to 1.8 - down from 2.0 in 1971.
Married couples were found to have larger families, with 1.8 children, while cohabiting couples had an average of 1.6.Married couples were found to have larger families, with 1.8 children, while cohabiting couples had an average of 1.6.
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