Till the Lockdown Do Us Part: Examining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Marital Formation and Dissolution

Abstract

In this study, we consider the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on family formation and dissolution. We use national microdata covering all marriages and divorces in Mexico and an event-study design. Our findings indicate that over March through December of 2020, marriage rates declined by 54% and divorce rates by 43%. By the end of 2020, divorce rates recover back to baseline levels, but marriage rates remain 30% below the 2017-2019 baseline level. Overall, our findings indicate that marital dissolutions quickly recovered (6 months into the pandemic), but family formation may be delayed or even permanently reduced.