Family Matters: Long-lasting relationships
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Description: Family Matters: Long-lasting relationships
Family Matters: Long-lasting relationships
Of the 11 million people aged 55 and older in Canada in 2017, 7.5 million were part of a couple.
Five million, or 7 in 10, aged 55 and older were in a long-lasting relationship of 30 years or more.
Long-lasting relationships were more common among the married than among those who lived common-law.
- 79% married
- 22% common-law
People in long-lasting relationships were, on average, 68 years of age.
Long-lasting couples were likely to have at least one child.
- 92% of persons aged 55 and older in 30-year-or-longer unions had at least one child
- 76% of persons aged 55 and older in less-than-30-year unions had at least one child
Average number of children
- 2.3 children in unions of 30 years or longer
- 1.7 children in unions of less than 30 years
Half of adults aged 75 and older who were part of a couple had been in that relationship for 55 years or more.
Note: Data are based on persons aged 55 and older in couples. Long lasting unions are those that have lasted 30 years or more.
Source: General Social Survey (Families), 2017.
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