The median age of first marriages in the United States in 2026 was 30.2 years old. That is the highest age of marriage since the census began in 1890 (not taking into account the year of the COVID-19 pandemic).

In a recent survey, the Institute of Family Studies found that 16% of men ages 18-29 (the ones under the median age of marriage in the U.S.) were married.

When surveyed, one out of every ten men said that they never wanted to get married. Approximately two out of every ten men said they weren’t sure if they wanted to get married while nearly seven out of every ten men (68% of those surveyed) said “YES,” they want to get married.

The young men surveyed said that two of the biggest factors for not pursuing dating and marriage were the fear of rejection and the difficulty of finding a partner to date. While the desire for marriage is there, the fear and difficulty of putting themselves out there holds many young men back.

The survey conducted found that young men who are religious, politically conservative with a four-year college degree and work full time are more likely to desire marriage. Sons who grew up with parents who remained married to each other were also more likely to desire marriage.

At the turn of the 21st century, religious hostilities began increasing throughout the globe. In 2012, 45% of people lived in countries with high levels of religious hostility, and by 2019, that number had increased to 74%. That is a 64% increase in the amount of people living in such circumstances. Not only that, but there has been a rise in governmental restrictions on religious freedom in those same 5 years in the countries that have high levels of religious hostility. “Research shows a robust and consistent connection between the lack of government respect for religious freedom and higher levels of social hostilities involving religion” This research suggests that as religious freedom was restricted, negative outcomes (such as violence) increased in those countries.