Age gap relationships have always been a topic of interest and opinions. Some folks believe that as long as everyone involved is of legal age and consenting, it’s no one else’s business. Others think there are more factors to consider, like intelligence, power dynamics, and the number of years between partners.

There’s a Perfect Age Gap for Couples

Age-gap relationships are still a significant part of the dating world, with many A-list celebrities in such relationships. For example, Billie Eilish, 22, and her recent ex, Jesse Rutherford, 32, had a notable age difference. Peter Andre, 51, and his wife Emily, 34, as well as Kris Jenner, 68, and Corey Gamble, 43, are other well-known age-gap couples.

Now, experts have weighed in on what the ideal age gap is for relationships. A study conducted by Emory University in Atlanta has uncovered the sweet spot for age-gap relationships and revealed those most likely to end in heartbreak.

The study discovered that couples with more than a two-decade difference have a whopping 95% chance of separating. Couples with a ten-year gap have a 39% chance of breaking up, whereas those with a five-year gap have an 18% chance of parting ways.

But what is the ideal age gap? The study, which looked at 3,000 couples, found that couples with just a one-year age difference have only a 3% chance of splitting up. This finding might come as a surprise, but it does suggest that being close in age can contribute to a lower likelihood of separation.

Of course, there are always exceptions to these findings, but the research provides some interesting insights.

Words from the Expert

Relationship expert Samantha Jayne shared her thoughts, saying, “Dating someone closer to your age does make it easier to find common ground. You tend to ‘get’ each other if you grew up in the same generation. You know the same music, TV shows, fashion, political and global issues. It comes down to birds of a feather flock together.”

She also added, “All circumstances are different, and it does come down to the individual. Ultimately, the studies have found that a gap of one to three years has the greatest level of happiness and satisfaction.”

However, Samantha noted that larger age gaps often lead to power struggles. She said, “Sometimes the older one is more like a parent and the younger one is in a follower position with less of a voice. In some cases, certain cultures frown upon large age gaps, especially when the woman is older, which can be very challenging.”

So, it might be time to narrow down the age criteria on your dating apps if you’re looking for a long-lasting relationship!