The reason is pretty simple. People who are close in age are often in similar stages of life and tend to have more aligned views on things like money, health, careers, kids, and retirement.
As the age gap grows, relationships can face additional challenges. Research from Emory University found that couples with a five-year age difference had an 18% higher risk of divorce, while a 10-year gap was associated with a 39% higher risk.
That said, experts stress that a bigger age gap doesn’t doom a relationship. Shared goals, good communication, and emotional maturity matter far more than the number of candles on a birthday cake.