How Many Relationships Fail? 23 Eye-Opening Statistics

We picture fairy tales when we dream of love: happily ever after, intertwined souls, hearts beating as one. But the truth is that relationships face a symphony of challenges, and sometimes, the music fades. Understanding how often heartbreak hits, why the curtain falls on love, and the impact it leaves behind isn’t morbid – it’s crucial.

Think of these breakup statistics as a sobering backstage pass to the world of relationship struggles. 

We’ll delve into the communication breakdowns, the whispers of infidelity, the financial burdens, and the shifting life paths that can all play their part in love’s demise. We’ll explore the numbers behind statistically how many relationships fail before marriage, who they hit hardest, and the ripples they send through our communities.

We may wonder how many relationships fail in high school, how many relationships fail because of phones, 

But fear not, lovelorn readers! This isn’t just a chronicle of doom and gloom. By unraveling the statistics, we gain a deeper understanding of the intricate tapestry of human connections. We learn where we might mend the fabric, strengthen the threads, and weave relationships that weather even the fiercest storms. 

So, come along, let’s take a data-driven journey into the bittersweet terrain of love and loss, armed with the knowledge that might just rewrite our own happily ever after.

Why do relationships fail?

Relationships often fail due to a combination of communication issues, loss of trust, and conflicting values or life goals. 

Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings and resentment, while trust can be eroded by actions like infidelity or dishonesty. 

Over time, people may also realize that their core values or life paths are incompatible, making it difficult to envision a shared future. Additionally, external pressures such as financial stress, work-life balance challenges, and interference from third parties can strain a relationship. 

Personal growth and changes in individual needs or priorities can also play a role, leading partners to drift apart.

How common are relationship breakups?

Relationship breakups are quite common, though the exact frequency can vary based on factors like age, cultural background, and relationship type. Studies have shown that a significant number of romantic relationships, including marriages, eventually end in a breakup or divorce. 

For example, in the United States, the divorce rate is often cited as around 40-50%, indicating that nearly half of marriages may end in divorce. Breakup rates for dating relationships are generally higher, as these relationships are typically less legally and socially binding than marriages. 

Now that we have a brief idea of how many relationships fail, what does that data tell us?

The commonality of breakups reflects the complexity of maintaining long-term relationships in modern society, where personal growth, changing circumstances, and evolving expectations play significant roles.

4 warning signs that my relationship is failing

The magic of love often paints a rosy picture: intimate whispers, shared laughter, and a deep understanding that transcends words. But even the strongest bonds can face challenges, sometimes leaving subtle clues that things might not be as sunny as they seem. 

So, now that we know how many relationships fail, here are four key signs that your relationship might need some work:

1. Persistent communication breakdown

Conversations that once flowed like a babbling brook have become tangled thickets of misunderstandings. 

Important topics get choked off by sighs and silences, replaced by terse exchanges that leave you feeling unheard and unseen. It’s like trying to navigate a foreign country without a shared language, with both partners frustrated and isolated in their own emotional landscapes.

2. Loss of trust 

The cornerstone of any healthy relationship is trust, built on a bedrock of honesty and security. But when recurring lies, broken promises, or even lingering suspicions start to seep through, those cracks can quickly widen. 

Feeling unsafe or unable to rely on your partner creates an emotional minefield, making it difficult to connect and be truly vulnerable. This affects how many relationships fail after infidelity.

3. Unresolved conflicts 

Healthy relationships embrace the inevitable tango of conflict, knowing how to navigate disagreements with respect and understanding. But when the music turns into a constant cacophony of endless arguments, leaving wounds festering and unresolved, it’s a sign that something’s amiss. 

Avoiding conflict altogether, on the other hand, is like pushing problems under a rug, creating a ticking time bomb that threatens to explode in the future.

4. Increasing detachment

Remember that spark, that electric buzz that drew you together? If it’s flickering and fading, replaced by a growing sense of emotional distance and detachment, it’s a stark reminder that love needs more than just shared Netflix passwords. 

Lacking affection, dreading spending time together, or feeling like roommates instead of lovers – these are the quiet whispers that tell you the flame needs rekindling and the warmth of connection needs to be restored.

These are not harbingers of doom but gentle nudges and wake-up calls to acknowledge the challenges, understand their root causes, and take action. Remember, even the sturdiest oak tree starts as a tiny seed, nurtured with care and attention. 

Your relationship, too, has the potential to grow stronger and blossom anew, but it may require the courage to face the signs and dedicate yourselves to healing, communication, and rekindling the embers of love.

23 important relationship breakup statistics

Relationship breakups are influenced by various factors, and their frequency varies across different types of relationships. Here are some statistics:

1. Women are nearly twice as likely to initiate breakups compared to men.
2. 58% of Americans consider their breakups to be dramatic or messy.
3. 19% of Americans report they were ghosted at the end of a long-term relationship.
4. How many long-distance relationships fail? 40% of long-distance relationships in the U.S. fail.
5. 85% of American relationships don’t survive after a partner admits to cheating.
6. Approximately 70% of straight unmarried couples break up within the first year.
7. The average relationship lasts for two years and nine months before ending.
8. And how many open relationships fail? 41% of Millennials are interested in open relationships, yet 67% of women would leave their male partner if he suggested one.
9. Only 4% of Americans are interested in having open relationships.
10. 52% of the LGBTQ community are interested in open relationships, higher than heterosexual couples at 39%.
11. 20% of Americans claim to have been in a non-monogamous relationship at least once in their life.
12. 92% of open marriages end up failing.
13. 42% of people in a relationship wait a week to break up with their partner after making up their mind.
14. In a 69-country study, people in richer countries are 1.61 times more likely to have broken up in the past year.
15. 85% of people will experience a breakup in their lifetime.
16. 71% of people stay in touch with their exes after a breakup.
17. 60% of people admit to stalking their ex on social media after a breakup.
18. Two out of three couples break up within six months of becoming parents for the first time.
19. Only 29% of high school sweethearts end up together after college.
20. Nearly 50% of marriages in the U.S. end in divorce.
21. Approximately 25% of all breakups occur over text messages.
22. 73% of people have a breakup ritual to feel more in control.
23. Less than 1 in 3 people use professional therapeutic help post-breakup.

FAQs

Relationships are complex and multifaceted, often facing challenges that can lead to distress or failure. Recognizing signs of trouble, understanding if and how a relationship can be saved, and coping with its end are critical aspects of navigating romantic relationships. 

This section addresses these concerns, offering insights into identifying a failing relationship, exploring the potential for reconciliation, and providing strategies for dealing with a breakup. 

• What are the signs of a failing relationship?

A relationship may be in trouble if there’s a persistent breakdown in communication, loss of trust, frequent and unresolved conflicts, and emotional disconnection. 

These signs often manifest as constant misunderstandings, feelings of insecurity or betrayal, consistent arguments without resolution, and a noticeable decrease in emotional intimacy and affection.

• Is it possible to save a failing relationship?

It is possible to save a failing relationship, but it requires dedicated effort and commitment from both partners. This involves engaging in open and honest communication, seeking professional counseling or therapy, actively working to rebuild trust, and investing time and effort to address and resolve underlying issues.

• How can I cope with the end of a relationship?

Dealing with a relationship’s end involves allowing yourself to grieve and process your emotions, seeking support from friends, family, or counselors, focusing on self-care and personal growth, and establishing boundaries, such as limiting contact with your ex-partner, to aid in the healing process.

• What are the signs that a relationship is in trouble?

Additional signs that a relationship is in trouble include a lack of mutual respect, as evidenced by disrespectful behavior or language, and indifference, where one or both partners appear apathetic or uninterested in the relationship. 

These signs, alongside the previously mentioned issues, indicate deep-seated problems that need addressing.

• How can I save a failing relationship?

To save a relationship in trouble, it’s important to address the issues head-on. This might involve having difficult but necessary conversations, making compromises, showing appreciation and respect for each other, and possibly seeking external help like relationship counseling. 

Both partners need to be willing to work on the relationship and make necessary changes.

Know more about it here:

Conclusion

Relationships are dynamic and can face various challenges. Identifying the signs of trouble early, understanding the potential to resolve issues, and knowing how to cope with a breakup are essential skills. 

Whether it’s through mutual effort to save the relationship or finding healthy ways to move on, handling relationship challenges requires emotional intelligence, resilience, and, sometimes, external guidance.

Marriage.com Assessment

Relationship Test: What Help Does Your Relationship Need Most Right Now?

If your relationship feels off balance, if communication feels harder, connection weaker, or tension more frequent, this assessment can help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface. Grounded in relationship psychology and evidence-...

Questions: 20 | Last updated: Nov 18, 2025

Sample Question

When you and your partner talk about something important…

We listen with care — even hard talks feel safe and productive

We try to talk, but lately emotional closeness feels harder to reach

I want to be open, but part of me still guards my heart

Our discussions sometimes spiral or end unresolved

It’s hard to feel close because our physical intimacy hasn’t felt strong lately

We often see things differently about goals or priorities

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Sylvia Smith Author

Sylvia Smith loves to share insights on how couples can revitalize their love lives in and out of the bedroom. As a writer at Marriage.com, she is a big believer in living consciously and encourages couples to adopt this principle... Read more in their lives too. Sylvia believes that every couple can transform their relationship into a happier, healthier one by taking purposeful and wholehearted action. Read less