Income gaps are linked to higher risks of relationship breakups
A recent study
Unequal incomes in heterosexual couples seem to increase the chances of a breakup, according to a recent study by the National Institute of Demographic Studies (INED) in France.
Demographic sample
To carry out their study, the authors of the study analyzed a demographic sample of 4% of the French population, according to French media outlet ‘Les Echos’.
Cross-data
This sample linked censuses, civil status records, housing and income tax returns, and other data. 95,000 separations were observed between 2011 and 2017.
Income distribution
Among the couples studied, "the most important income is brought by the man in 49.3% of cases when 20.5% have equal incomes", against 13.7% of cases where the woman is "the main contributor to the household", the study explained.
Higher incomes for women
The INED points out that the progress in women's education has led to an increase in their income. Among couples in which both partners work, the woman earned more than the man in one in four cases in 2017, compared to one in five cases in 2002.
Separation risks increases when woman earn more
"When the woman's share of income exceeds 55% of the couple's total income, the risk of separation increases significantly," the researchers noted.
An 11% to 40% higher risk of separation
In this configuration, depending on the woman's contribution, the risk of separation is 11% to 40% higher than that of couples in which each spouse contributes half of the household income.
The impact of relationship type
The researchers note that this probability is higher among couples in a domestic partnership than among those who are married or in a civil union. However, the chances of separation are higher, regardless of the type of couple, when the woman earns more than the man.
Risk of separation decreases after age 50
Similarly, while the likelihood of separation decreases after age 50, it is higher in all age groups when the woman is the primary breadwinner.
Male bread-winner culture
The INED pointed out that couples who do not follow the dominant model of the "male breadwinner" suffer from greater marital difficulties and therefore have a higher risk of separation.
