Short- and Long-Term Economic Consequences of the Dissolution of Marital and Consensual Unions. The Example of the Netherlands

Abstract

Many studies have shown the dramatic gender-specific economic consequences of divorce, but there are almost none that describe the economic implications of dissolving a consensual union. The present study confirms results of many other studies that divorced women are more economically disadvantaged than men, but it also reveals that ex-cohabiting women experience a smaller decline than divorced women in their economic situation shortly after the dissolution of the union. For men who had previously been part of a cohabiting arrangement, their post-dissolution economic situation, like that of women who had been cohabiting, was worse than their situation before the break-up. On the basis of Statistics Netherlands’ Income Panel Study 1989–2000, this research reveals that the decline in economic situation persists for some time, at least for a number of years or in the long term. The economic differences between divorced men and women become smaller. Gender-specific economic differences almost disappear for ex-cohabiters over time. In the long run, individuals who do not find a new partner suffer the most, especially divorced women. About one-fifth or one-third of all men and women do not find new partners in the 10 years following divorce or dissolution.

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