Marriage improves women's health and longevity compared with remaining unmarried.

Is it true that marriage improves women's health and longevity compared with remaining unmarried?

Partly. One large US Medicare study reports married women aged 65+ had about 1.5 more years of total life expectancy than unmarried women, though it attributes much of the gap to selection bias; a 1993 survey found married women rated their health better than unmarried women, largely explained by economic factors. A study in India found early marriage harmed women's reproductive health, which cuts against the claim as stated.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 2 sources for, 1 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Life expectancy and active life expectancy by marital status among older U.S. adults: Results from the U.S. Medicare Health Outcome Survey (HOS) - PMC Lock. (n.d.). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2020.100642

Early marriage, poor reproductive health status of mother and child well-being in India. (n.d.). cir.nii.ac.jp. https://doi.org/10.1136/jfprhc-2011-0080

A., H. B. (1993). Marital Status and Women's Health: The Effect of Economic Marital Acquisitions.. eric.ed.gov. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ466553