FORBES — Feb 14 — Marital status of the U.S. population; 53.5% married, 28.6% never married, 11.7% divorced or separated, 6.2% widowed (US Census 2003). Living arrangements of U.S. households; 28.2% married without children, 23.3% married with children, 16.4% other family households i.e. unmarried parents, 15.2% women living alone, 11.2% men living alone, 5.6% unmarried/unrelated roomates (US Census 2003). Married adults are less likely to smoke, drink heavily or be physically inactive. However, married men are more likely to be overweight or obese than other men (Center for Disease Control and Prevention's report "Marital Status and Health: U.S. 1999-2002). Median annual adult income in U.S., married $27,605, single $17,057 (US CENSUS BUREAU 2004). The probability of a first marriage ending in separation or divorce within five years is 20%. After 10 years 33%. The probability of a premarital cohabitation breaking up within five years is 49%. After ten years it's 62% likely (Center for Disease Control's National Center for Health Statistics 2002). Several studies suggest married people live longer, but is has yet to be proven decisively. An unusually high proportion of – about 15% – of female centenarians never married.
Its a bit surprising for me (a bachelor) to find that about 29% of all Americans never married.Iam Indian and the no. of single people in India (both men & women) are rising…perhaps due to the hassles of a married life. After all its better to remain single or to wait for one’s perfect partner and then get maried; rather than to marry and then get divorced. In an Indian society divorce is not looked upon as a good thing.
The great saint Swami Vivekananda and other great people like him (Mother Teresa for example) never married. On the other hand they contributed hugely for mankind.