Science says: this is the ideal age gap for a relationship

The 49-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio with his 26-year-old girlfriend, or 43-year-old Chris Evans with his 27-year-old wife. The greater the age difference in a relationship, the more we have to say about it. But when is the difference too big? There is of course never one golden rule in love, but there is an age gap with the greatest chance of success.

The ideal difference

Actually, you can follow one rule: the greater the age difference, the greater the chance of problems in a relationship. Here's why: if you are both in very different life stages, your priorities can be quite different. Maybe you are just starting your career and want to fully focus on that, while your partner prefers to focus on family and children. That can clash. According to research from the ‘Journal of Population Economics’, the ideal age difference is a maximum of 3 years. Then it holds: the greater the difference, the less satisfied they are with their relationship.

There is more that counts

Age certainly influences your relationship, but that is far from the only thing that matters. Interests, family, friends, lifestyle, and I could go on. Everything plays a role in whether you fit together or not. And there can certainly be differences. You can't like everything the same. A relationship is of course about give and take. And as long as you are both willing to do that, it can just work.

Go for it!

So if you are completely in love with someone who is significantly older or younger, don't panic! You could be that exception to the ‘rule’, as far as it exists. It just might take a bit more effort. A little more discussion, a little more compromise, and standing strong together against all those outside opinions. As you can see: a small age gap might be easier, but love is and remains unpredictable.