Family matters: New relationships after separation or divorce
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Description: Family matters: New relationships after separation or divorce
Family matters: New relationships after separation or divorce
In 2017, of the 11 million people aged 35 to 64 years old in a coupleFootnote 1, 1 in 4 were currently in their second or subsequent marriage or common-law relationship.
| 2006 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 23% | 26% |
| Men | 23% | 26% |
| Women | 22% | 25% |
Average time separated or divorced before remarrying or repartnering: 5 years
- Women: 4.8 years
- Men: 4.5 years
Those born in Canada and residents of Quebec were most likely to form second or subsequent unions.
| Percent | |
|---|---|
| Canadian born | 31% |
| Foreign born | 13% |
| Percent | |
|---|---|
| Quebec | 36% |
| British Columbia | 28% |
| Atlantic Canada | 27% |
| Prairie provinces | 25% |
| Ontario | 19% |
What does a second or subsequent union look like?
Among those who were currently remarried or repartnered:
- 36% were now in a common-law union.
- 46% were now in a marriage that had started as a common-law union.
- 18% were now in a marriage that had not started as a common-law union.
- Half had been in a couple with their current partner or spouse for 12 years or more.
- 31% of those in a common-law union and 56% of those married had children with their current partner or spouse.
Source: General Social Survey (Families), 2006 and 2017.
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