Profile of Older Americans

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A Profile of Older Americans: 2008

Marital Status

In 2007, older men were much more likely to be married than older women--73% of men, 42% of women (Figure 2). Widows accounted for 42% of all older women in 2007. There were over four times as many widows (8.7 million) as widowers (2.0 million).

Divorced and separated (including married/spouse absent) older persons represented only 11.1% of all older persons in 2007. However, this percentage has increased since 1980, when approximately 5.3% of the older population were divorced or separated/spouse absent.

Figure 2 - Chart shows the gender differences as men are more likely to be married (73% to 42%) and women more likely to be widowed (42% to 13%)

(Based on Internet releases of data from the 2007 Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement of the U.S. Bureau of the Census)

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AoA - Statistics - A Profile of Older Americans 2008 - Living Arrangements

Last Modified: 7/16/2009 8:31:09 AM