Marriage Market Sorting in the U.S.

Federal Reserve Bank

Anton Cheremukhin

Research

51 Pages

The Fed examined the shifts in the U.S. marriage market, assessing how online dating, demographic changes, and evolving societal norms influence mate choice and broader sorting trends. It found that the changes in mate preferences and increased assortativeness by skill and education since 1960 account for about half of the increased income inequality among households.

Key Takeaways

Stability in Preferences: Despite the rise of online dating platforms, preferences and sorting patterns regarding education, age, race, income, and skill remained relatively stable between 2008 and 2021.
Long-Term Trends: From 1960 to 2020, there has been an increasing tendency for individuals to select partners with similar income, education, and skills, indicating a shift toward assortative mating.
Impact on Income Inequality: The study attributes approximately half of the rise in household income inequality to changes in mate preferences and increased assortativeness by skill and education over the examined period.
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