Breakups are a common part of life. This article will explore some of the most common breakup statistics in 2025.
For instance, according to a recent study, 64% of Americans have gone through the breakup of a long-term relationship.
Breakups can be painful, but they can also be an opportunity for growth and learning.
If you’re going through a breakup, please know that you’re not alone.
Breakups are a normal part of life, and there are many resources available to help you cope.
With time and support, you will get through this. Let’s look at the statistics related to breakups.
Key Statistics
- 70% of break-ups occur within the first year of a relationship.
- 60% of couples get back together after a breakup.
- 60% of divorces in the United States involve couples between 25 and 39 years old.
- 70% of all divorces in the United States are initiated by women.
- 57% of people prefer to break up with someone in person.
- 65% of people think that breaking up by phone is moderately to most acceptable.
- 37% of survey respondents believe that breaking up by text is most or moderately acceptable.
- 58% of adults in the United States say they think breakups are messy or dramatic.
- 59% of people who break up with their partners remain friends on Facebook.
- 71% of people who have faced breakups claim that they think about their ex too often.
General Breakup Statistics in 2025
1. The Average American Experiences Three Serious Relationship Break-Ups.
According to a OnePoll survey, the average American adult experiences 3 major breakups in their relationships.
Furthermore, people who have experienced a major breakup will spend over 1.5 years getting over the relationship.
(StudyFinds)
2. On Average, 70% of Break-Ups Occur Within the First Year of A Relationship.
According to research, an estimated 70% of all couples break up within the first year of a relationship.
The first year of a relationship is the “getting to know you” phase, so it’s not unusual for couples to realize they aren’t compatible in that first year.
(Marriage.com)
3. 22% of Marriages Experience Break-Ups in Their First 5 Years.
Marriage and divorce statistics show that 22% of marital relationships end in their first 5 years.
These relationships often start with a separation (a break-up) and result in divorce.
Further data reveals that the average pattern of break-ups occur in year 3, 11, and 15.
(PsychCentral, Refinery29)
4. 2021 Breakup Statistics Reveal that 60% of Couples Get Back Together After a Breakup.
Whether a couple decides to get back together likely has more to do with why they broke up in the first place and how willing both partners are to reconcile.
However, it’s difficult to measure the “why” 60% of couples get back together after a breakup.
(Marie Claire)
Breakup Demographics
5. Women Take Longer to Get Over Breakups than Men.
While it’s often true that women take longer to heal from breakups than men, women do much better over the long haul with relationships compared to their male counterparts.
Women take the time to grieve and to engage in self-care before they dip their feet back in the dating pool.
(Marriage.com 2)
6. Men Are More Likely to Hold onto Resentment and Anger than Women After a Breakup.
According to data, men are less likely to ever recover after a breakup than women.
Studies show that men hang on to the grief, anger, and resentment after a breakup.
Keep in mind that this is the “average” according to statistics, not a hard and fast rule.
Men can move on to enjoy healthy relationships after a breakup, it may not be as often as women. Likewise, there are women who react like men after a breakup.
(Marriage.com 2)
7. 60% of Divorces in The United States Involve Couples Between 25 and 39 Years Old.
The 25- to 39-year-old age demographic is the one that experiences the most divorces.
The statistics show that people between 25 and 39 are more apt to get a divorce than other age groups.
Today’s world is so full of stress that any conflict in a marriage or any relationship can take its toll.
(Wilkinson & Finkbeiner)
8. 70% of All Divorces in The United States Are Initiated by Women.
Women, or wives are the most apt to file for divorce than men, or the husband in the relationship at 70%.
Research shows that this figure is even higher among women with a college education.
A few reasons cited include feeling stifled by marriage and feeling less tolerant of poor behavior.
(Jimenez Law Firm)
Breakup Timing Statistics
9. The Most Common Time for A Breakup Is Around Valentine’s Day.
Research shows that it’s common for couples to break up around Valentine’s Day.
Usually, we think of Valentine’s Day as a day of romance, fancy dinner dates, sweet memories, flowers, candy, etc.
However, the Tuesday before Valentine’s Day is considered a day of break ups, dubbing it “Red Tuesday”.
(The Breakup Book)
10. Generally, Holidays Are the Most Common Times of The Year for Breakups.
Besides Valentine’s Day stress/pressure breakups, holidays in general are common times for relationships to end.
The two weeks before Christmas is another common time for breakups.
Spring and Summer are the two main seasons when breakups occur.
(Coffee Meets Bagel)
11. Monday Is the Most Common Day of The Week for Breakups.
It should come as no surprise that Monday would be the day of breakups.
Considering how people feel about Monday and it’s a day often full of stress and pressure, it’s not unusual for that stress to bleed over into a relationship.
(Coffee Meets Bagel)
Methods of Breakups
12. 57% of People Prefer to Break up With Someone in Person.
Most often people break up in person. In fact, this is the preferred choice at 57%, according to a YouGov poll regarding relationships and breakups.
Moreover, breaking up in person is the kindest and most considerate way to break up with someone.
Pew Research from 2015 revealed that 83% of respondents find in-person breakups to be most and moderately acceptable.
(Esquire, Healthline)
13. 65% of People Think that Breaking up By Phone Is Moderately to Most Acceptable.
Pew Research data from 2015 revealed that 31% of people think breaking up by phone call is most acceptable, and 34% said it is moderately acceptable.
Only 14% found breaking up over the phone to be the least acceptable. What do you think?
(Pew Research)
14. 37% of Survey Respondents Believe that Breaking up By Text Is Most or Moderately Acceptable.
As society becomes more reliant on technology and texting (SMS or messenger apps), it’s likely that breakups will occur via text more often.
However, in 2015, only 37% of Pew Research survey respondents felt like text breakups were acceptable (moderate or most).
For reference, 59% responded that text breakups were the least acceptable method.
(Pew Research)
Breakup Reasons
15. 75% of Couples Said Their Breakups Were Due to Lack of Commitment in The Relationship.
It’s unrealistic to think that marriage is easy. It’s not easy to live with someone day after day and not get frustrated with each other sometimes.
However, if you show a lack of commitment to your significant other, you are likely to face heartbreak.
(Forbes Advisor)
16. 60% of Couples Said that Infidelity Is Why They Broke Up.
Intimate relationships require a special level of trust and loyalty.
Once that’s breached due to cheating on your partner, it’s most apt to cause a breakup.
Even when couples decide to forgive that one-time slip in fidelity, it will continue to impact the relationship in most cases.
(Forbes Advisor)
17. 58% of Couples Say that Too Much Arguing and Conflict Caused Them to Break Up.
You can imagine how tedious life would be when constant conflict and arguments are part of your daily routine. If you aren’t communicating well, conflict and arguments will occur.
In fact, 58% of couples said that too much conflict and arguing resulted in a breakup.
(Forbes Advisor)
After Effects of Breakups
18. 58% of Adults in The United States Say They Think Breakups Are Messy or Dramatic.
A YouGov poll conducted in 2018 showed that 58% of American adults believe that breakups are messy or dramatic.
Breakups are not usually pleasant like you see in some movies. Instead, they are messy, hurtful, and in many cases traumatic. It’s considered normal.
Only 25% of poll respondents said that breakups were civil or casual.
(The Atlantic)
19. 71% of Survey Respondents Said They Felt Better After 3 Months Post Breakup.
A 2007 study conducted by Taylor & Francis Online revealed that 71% of people who had recently faced a relationship breakup said that they felt better within three months.
Another survey of 2,000 people in 2017 revealed that they felt better after six months.
However, a study from 2009 revealed that divorced people take an average of 18 months to heal and move on.
(MBG Relationships)
20. 59% of People Who Break up With Their Partners Remain Friends on Facebook.
If you’re co-parenting your children, being Facebook friends is an easy way to maintain communication.
However, staying friends with your ex on Facebook, which apparently is done by 58% of people, could mean you aren’t getting over your partner.
Furthermore, 48% of divorced people and people from breakups combined said they check their ex’s Facebook and other social profiles too much.
(WXAKFM)
21. 71% of People Who Have Faced Breakups Claim that They Think About Their Ex Too Often.
Statistics like this show that even post breakup, ex-wives, ex-husbands, ex-girlfriends, and ex-boyfriends, have their exes on their mind too much.
Over half of singles with exes believe that their focus on thinking about them negatively impacts their ability to move on and find love.
Another 36% of exes that were married believe that they have an attachment to their ex that interferes with their current marriage.
(YourTango)
FAQs
How Long Does It Take to Get Over a Breakup?
There is no single solution for getting over a breakup.
Everyone is different and perceives and experiences breakups in different ways.
Some people may start to feel better after a few weeks, while others may take months or even years to fully heal.
It’s important to be patient with yourself and allow yourself the time you need to grieve.
What Are the Signs that I Am Not Over My Breakup?
If you’re still thinking about your ex all the time, having trouble sleeping or eating, or if you’re feeling depressed or anxious, then you’re probably not over your breakup.
It’s wise to talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling and to seek professional help if you need it.
What Are Some Tips for Coping with A Breakup?
Tips for coping with a breakup:
Give yourself permission to grieve. It’s crucial to allow yourself to feel the pain of the breakup.
This will help you to heal in the long run.
Talk to someone you trust. Talking about your breakup can help you to process your emotions and get support from others.
Take time for self-care. Take care of yourself by eating healthy, getting ample exercise, and getting restful sleep.
Taking care of your physical and mental health will help you to cope with the breakup.
Give yourself time. It takes time to heal from a breakup.
Don’t expect to feel better overnight.
Be patient with yourself and allow yourself the time you need to move on.
What Are Some Things I Should Avoid Doing After a Breakup?
Things you should avoid after a breakup:
Contacting your ex. This will only make it harder for you to move on.
Trying to win your ex back. This will only make them feel like they have the upper hand.
Talking negatively about your ex to others. This will only make you look bad and make it harder for you to move on.
Getting into a rebound relationship. This is a quick way to get hurt again.
Conclusion
There’s no way around the fact that breakups are difficult. However, they are a normal part of life.
By understanding the FAQs and coping with the pain, you can emerge from a breakup stronger and wiser.
If you’re struggling to cope with a breakup, there are many resources available to help you.
Talking to a therapist, reading self-help books, or joining support groups are good ways to help you move forward.
There is no shame in seeking help, and it can make a big difference in your recovery.
We hope that you have learned something relevant for your needs after reading these breakup statistics for 2025.
