Married people are happier than unmarried people, according to new research from the University of Chicago. The survey, led by economist Sam Peltzman, asked thousands of Americans how happy they were. It discovered that married respondents are over 30 percentage points happier than single ones. This was true for both men and women. That makes marriage “the most important differentiator” in being happy among all of the factors examined, which included: age, race, gender, education, income and geography.

As Peltzman notes, that number has barely changed since studies were conducted in the 1970s, showing the consistent correlation between marriage and happiness.

As marriage has declined since 2000, so has overall happiness. “The recent decline in the married share of adults can explain (statistically) most of the recent decline in overall happiness,” Peltzman wrote. The research also found that, among those not married, there are as many sad as there are happy people. “Marital status is and has been a very important marker for happiness,” Peltzman concluded.

Why the strong correlation between marriage and happiness?

Deeper meaning: Winston Churchill said, “There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues … are created, strengthened and maintained.” But there is a deeper reason for marriage and family that even Churchill didn’t see. What is the real purpose for marriage and family?

To answer this question, read Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry’s article from our latest print issue “The Inspiring Reason Marriage and Family Must Be Defended.”