Definition and historical context of cohabitation

Cohabitation describes a living arrangement where couples share a home without being married or in a civil partnership. This setup allows partners to live together in a committed relationship, often similar to marriage, but without the legal formalities.

In the past, cohabitation was relatively uncommon and often viewed negatively by society, being regarded as sinful and immoral.

Key trends and statistics in cohabitation

Recent decades have seen a marked increase in cohabitation across the UK, making it one of the most notable shifts in family structures. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) highlights how this trend has evolved, showing cohabitation as an increasingly common choice for couples.

Main trends in cohabitation

• Growth in prevalence - The proportion of people aged 16 and over living together without marriage nearly doubled from approximately 7 per cent in the mid-1990s to over 12 per cent by the early 2010s. By the mid-2010s, there were nearly 3 million opposite-sex cohabiting couples in the UK.
• Rise as a family type - Cohabitation grew by around 35 per cent between the early 2000s and mid-2010s, positioning it as the fastest-growing family structure in the UK. It now represents approximately 17 per cent of all families.
• Childbearing patterns - More children are being born into cohabiting households. In a recent year, approximately one in three children had cohabiting parents, a steady increase since the 1980s.
• Duration before marriage - Many couples use cohabitation as a step towards marriage, living together for an average of about four years beforehand. About 80 per cent of couples who eventually marry have cohabited first.
• Increase among older adults - There has been a notable rise in cohabitation among those aged 65 and over, although this group forms only a small part of the overall around 2.9 million heterosexual cohabiting couples.

These trends illustrate how cohabitation has become integrated into modern family life, often serving as either a precursor to marriage or a long-term alternative.

Reasons for the rise in cohabitation

Several social, economic, and cultural factors explain why cohabitation has become more popular. These influences reflect changing lifestyles and priorities, making cohabitation an appealing option for many couples.

Economic reasons

For younger couples facing financial challenges, cohabitation offers practical benefits. Those in low-paid jobs or with uncertain incomes may choose to live together to share expenses, such as rent and household bills. This arrangement allows them to move out of their parental homes more affordably, providing independence without the immediate costs of marriage.

Research on the impacts of cohabitation

Studies have explored how cohabitation affects relationships and family stability. One key piece of research suggests that living together before marriage can have positive effects, challenging older assumptions about its risks.

Beaujouan and Ní Bhrolcháin (2011)

• Background - This research examined the link between premarital cohabitation and marital outcomes in the UK.

• Results - Couples who cohabited before marrying showed stronger relationships overall. Their marriages were less likely to end in divorce compared to those who married without prior cohabitation.

This research highlights cohabitation's potential to strengthen future marriages.