The 2nd marriage divorce rate is commonly reported at 60-67%, but newer government data tells a different story. A 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics study found that only 39.1% of second marriages had ended in divorce by age 55 — far below the number most articles repeat. The truth sits somewhere in between, and it depends heavily on one factor: whether stepchildren are involved.
If you’re thinking about remarrying, or you’re just trying to make sense of the conflicting numbers online, this guide breaks down what the data actually shows, why second marriages struggle more than first ones, and what you can do to improve your odds.
What Is the Divorce Rate for Second Marriages?
The short answer: it depends on which study you look at, but 60-67% is the most widely cited figure, while newer research suggests the real number may be closer to 39-45%.
For decades, researchers and family therapists have pointed to a 60-67% failure rate for second marriages, compared to roughly 40-50% for first marriages. This number comes from older Census Bureau projections and has been repeated across hundreds of websites and news articles.
But the 2024 BLS analysis, based on the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, followed real people over time instead of projecting lifetime odds. It found that only 39.1% of second marriages had ended in divorce by the time participants turned 55. That’s a big gap from the traditional figure.
Here’s a simple comparison of the numbers you’ll see reported:
| Statistic | Value | Source/Year |
| Second marriage divorce rate (commonly cited) | 60-67% | Census, NCFMR, IFS |
| Second marriage divorce rate (2024 BLS data) | 39.1% by age 55 | Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| First marriage divorce rate | 40-50% | Multiple sources |
| Third marriage divorce rate | 73% | NCFMR, MarriageScience |
The gap exists because the two figures measure different things. The 60-67% number is often a lifetime projection, while the 39.1% figure is an observed outcome for one age group followed over time. Neither is “wrong” — they’re just answering slightly different questions.
Why Do Second Marriages Have Higher Divorce Rates?
Second marriages fail more often mainly because they carry more built-in complexity — blended families, financial history, and emotional baggage that first marriages usually don’t have.
People entering a second marriage often bring unresolved pain from their first one. Without processing what went wrong, it’s easy to repeat the same patterns with a new partner. Many therapists say this is one of the biggest hidden risk factors.
Money is another major stress point. Second marriages frequently involve child support, alimony, or unequal assets, which can create tension that first marriages rarely deal with. Add stepchildren into the mix, and loyalty conflicts and parenting disagreements become common.
Finally, many people remarry faster than they should. Rushing into a new relationship before fully healing — sometimes out of loneliness or financial pressure — raises the risk of divorce significantly.
Second Marriage Divorce Statistics by Category
The short answer: stepchildren, age, and gender all change your odds — sometimes dramatically.
By Presence of Stepchildren
This is the single biggest factor separating “successful” second marriages from ones that end quickly.
| Family Type | Divorce Rate | Source |
| Second marriage without stepchildren | ~45% | Stanford Stepfamily Research (2024) |
| Second marriage with stepchildren | ~67% | Stanford Stepfamily Research (2024) |
| Blended families (general) | 60-70% | Census Bureau |
Second marriages without kids from a previous relationship have divorce rates close to first marriages. Once stepchildren are added, the rate jumps sharply, largely due to loyalty conflicts and co-parenting stress.
By Age Group
Younger people who remarry face steeper odds than those who remarry later in life.
| Age at Remarriage | Divorce Rate | Average Duration |
| 25-34 | 72% | 6.8 years |
| 35-44 | 65% | 8.1 years |
| 45+ | Lower (varies) | Varies |
By Gender
Men remarry noticeably more often than women. In 2013, 64% of eligible men had remarried compared to 52% of women — a gap of about 81%.
The short answer: money, communication breakdowns, stepfamily conflict, and infidelity are the leading causes.
| Cause | Percentage | Notes |
| Financial conflicts | 41% | Child support, alimony, competing obligations |
| Communication issues | 73% | Cited most often in second marriage divorces |
| Stepfamily conflict | Primary driver | Can swing failure rates from 41% to 78% |
| Infidelity | 32% report it, 48% divorce because of it | NCFMR (2020) |
Financial conflict is especially common because second marriages often involve blending two financial histories — including debts, prior obligations, and different spending habits. Communication issues are cited even more often, suggesting that many couples never fully resolve the habits that hurt their first marriage.
How Long Do Second Marriages Last?
The short answer: second marriages that end in divorce typically last 7 to 8 years, a bit shorter than first marriages.
Data shows 40% of second marriages that fail do so within 10 years, and 60% fail within 15 years. Younger couples (ages 25-34) tend to divorce fastest, averaging just 6.8 years, while those in the 35-44 range last a bit longer at 8.1 years.
For comparison, “gray divorce” research — divorce among people over 50 — shows a median marriage length of 29 years for first marriages that end, versus just 18 years for remarriages that end. This suggests that even later in life, second marriages tend to unravel faster than first ones.
Second Marriage vs. First Marriage: Key Differences
The short answer: second marriages fail more often mainly because they’re more complicated, not because people love each other less.
| Marriage Order | Divorce Rate | Average Duration | Median Age at Divorce |
| First Marriage | 40-50% | 8-10 years | 36 |
| Second Marriage | 60-67% | 7-8 years | 39.8 |
| Third Marriage | 73% | 5-6 years | N/A |
The pattern is clear: each additional marriage carries a higher failure rate. Researchers point to accumulating financial entanglements, more complex family structures, and the tendency to repeat unresolved patterns from earlier relationships.
What Is the Divorce Rate for Third Marriages?
Third marriages fail even more often than second ones, with roughly 73% ending in divorce. This escalating pattern suggests that without addressing the root causes of earlier failures — communication habits, financial planning, or unresolved trauma — the same problems tend to resurface in future relationships.
How to Make Your Second Marriage Work
The short answer: give yourself time to heal, communicate clearly about finances and parenting, and get support built specifically for remarriage.
- Take 2-3 years to heal and reflect after divorce before remarrying.
- Identify your role in the first marriage’s failure through honest self-reflection.
- Attend individual therapy to process any lingering trauma.
- Choose a partner who has also done this kind of self-work.
- Attend premarital counseling designed specifically for remarriage.
- Create a detailed prenuptial agreement covering assets, debts, and support obligations.
- Establish clear co-parenting boundaries with ex-spouses.
- Discuss all financial obligations openly before the wedding.
- Build a united parenting approach if stepchildren are involved.
- Commit to ongoing check-ins and communication as a couple.
Therapists generally recommend waiting at least two to three years after a divorce before remarrying. This gives both people time to process what happened and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Remarrying too quickly, before fully healing from the first divorce
- Skipping premarital counseling, especially remarriage-specific programs
- Not having a prenup, which leaves financial disputes unresolved
- Underestimating how complex blending a family can be
- Ignoring early warning signs because of loneliness or financial pressure
- Trying to replace a stepchild’s biological parent instead of building a new role gradually
- Letting an ex-spouse interfere without clear boundaries
Expert Tips for Second Marriage Success
Family researchers and therapists tend to agree on a few core ideas. Susan Brown of the National Center for Family & Marriage Research notes that remarriages are inherently more complex due to blended families and financial history, so couples should plan for that complexity rather than expect things to be simple. Relationship researcher Scott Stanley recommends using premarital programs built specifically for remarriage rather than assuming first-marriage advice applies. And stepfamily counselors consistently advise against trying to replace a child’s biological parent — instead, building a new and separate relationship over time tends to work better.
State-by-State Divorce Rates (2024)
Divorce rates vary noticeably by state. Based on the most recent NCFMR data:
| Rank | State | Rate (per 1,000 married women) |
| 1 | Oklahoma | 20.7 |
| 2 | Nevada | 19.9 |
| 3 | Mississippi | 19.2 |
| 4 | Wyoming | 18.7 |
| 5 | Alabama | 18.0 |
Maine currently has the lowest refined divorce rate in the country at 10.0 per 1,000 married women, while the national average sits at 14.2 — a 50-year low.
Latest Updates (2024-2026)
- September 2024: BLS published NLSY79 data showing only 39.1% of second marriages ended in divorce by age 55, challenging the long-standing 60-67% figure.
- 2024: NCFMR reported the U.S. refined divorce rate fell to 14.2 per 1,000 married women — a 50-year low.
- 2024: Stanford Stepfamily Research found second marriages without stepchildren have divorce rates near 45%, versus 67% for those with stepchildren.
- 2025: Pew Research reported that one-third of ever-married Americans say their first marriage ended in divorce.
- 2026: MarriageScience’s updated report confirmed a 67% second marriage failure rate overall, noting stepparent conflict alone can swing rates from 41% to 78%.
Conclusion
The real 2nd marriage divorce rate depends on which data you trust and, more importantly, on your own circumstances. Traditional estimates put it at 60-67%, while newer BLS data suggests a lower 39.1% by age 55. What’s consistent across every study is this: stepchildren, financial stress, and rushing into remarriage all raise the risk, while healing time, honest communication, and specialized counseling improve the odds. Second marriages aren’t doomed — but they do require going in with clearer eyes than the first time around.
FAQs
What is the divorce rate for second marriages? Traditionally cited at 60-67%, though 2024 BLS data suggests the real figure may be closer to 39.1% by age 55.
Why do second marriages fail more often? Common reasons include unresolved trauma from the first marriage, blended family conflicts, financial stress, and rushing into remarriage before healing.
How long do second marriages last before divorce? The median is about 7-8 years, slightly shorter than first marriages.
Do stepchildren increase the risk of divorce in second marriages? Yes. Second marriages without stepchildren have divorce rates near 45%, while those with stepchildren reach around 67%.
What is the divorce rate for third marriages? Approximately 73%, continuing an escalating pattern with each additional marriage.
Should I get a prenup for a second marriage? Most experts recommend it, especially when children, significant assets, or support obligations from a previous marriage are involved.
How long should I wait before remarrying after divorce? Therapists generally suggest 2-3 years of healing, though most people remarry within about 2.5 years.
Do men or women remarry more often? Men remarry more often — about 64% of eligible men had remarried by 2013, compared to 52% of women.