The decision to get married or to move in with a partner is a personal one, but for most married and cohabiting adults, love and companionship trump other considerations, such as the desire to have children someday, convenience or finances.
For a majority of those who are married – especially if they didn’t live with their spouse before marriage –wanting to make a formal commitment is also a major factor in their decision to marry.
Among married adults who lived with their spouse before getting married and who were not engaged when they moved in together, about two-thirds say they thought of living together as a step toward marriage;
44% of adults who are currently living with a partner and were not engaged when they first started doing so say they thought of it that way when they moved in together.
About four-in-ten cohabiters who are not engaged say they want to get married someday, and 58% in this group say they are very likely to marry their current partner. When asked why they are not currently engaged or married to their partner, many cite financial reasons.
