The coexistence has exceeded marriage as the main form of union in Peruespecially among young women and low resources. This is revealed by Report No. 2 “Marital states of women in Peru”, prepared by the Family Observatory of the Institute of Family Sciences of the University of Piura (UDEP), based on the data of the demographic and family health survey (Endes).
He Study indicates that 52 % of women between 20 and 24 years live with their partner, compared to only 5 % that is married. In contrast, among women aged 45 to 49, coexistence reaches 38 %, while marriage reaches 33 %, showing a generational transition.
Contrary to what could be assumed, coexistence is not more common among women with greater education. It is more frequent among those who have lower educational level, where it predominates as a strategy against economic insecurity. On the other hand, women with higher education tend to postpone marital life and present a greater proportion of single.
At the geographical level, coexistence predominates both rural areas (53 %) as urban (45 %), although rural women tend to start their life as a couple at earlier ages, with an average of 19 years compared to 21 in cities. This gap is extended according to educational and economic level: women without education begin their unions at 18.6 years, while those with higher studies do so at 23.5 years.
The report also alerts on the social implications of this trend. The mgtr. Gloria Huarcaya, responsible for the study, warns that “coexistence are associated with higher levels of marital dissatisfaction, instability, violence and lower accumulation of wealth compared to marriages.”
These findings offer an updated radiography of life as a couple in Peru and demonstrate the need to adapt public policies in childhood, social protection, housing and rights of unmarried couples.
