Long-Distance Relationship Statistics & Facts (2024)

How many Americans are in long distance relationships? How long does a long term relationships usually last? This article aims to shed light on the facts and figures regarding long distance relationships.

Being thousands of miles away from your loved ones might be difficult, but that is sometimes the way life works. Thankfully, today the internet has made it easier for people in LDRs to communicate.

Many couples find themselves in LDRs due to work, education, or other life circumstances and face the unique challenges that come with being physically separated.

long distance relationship statistics

Key Long Distance Relationship Statistics

  • Almost 14 million people in the United States are in long distance relationships.
  • 22% of people cheat while in a long distance relationship.
  • 2.9% of married couples have a long distance relationship.
  • 10% of marriages began as long distance relationships.
  • 40% of couples mention work as their reason for a long distance relationship.
  • 58% is the success rate of long distance relationships.
  • The average long distance relationship length is 4.5 months.
  • 42% of couples in a long distance relationship break up eventually.
  • 40.2% of people cite lack of communication as the biggest reason for an LDR to end.
  • Long-distance couples meet each other 1.5 times per month.
  • 32.5% of long distance relationships are because of college students.
  • As many as 75% of college students have been a part of a long distance relationship at some time.
  • 50% of long distance couples met each other online.
  • 66% of long distance couples cite the absence of physical intimacy as the major challenge.
  • 125 miles is the average distance between long distance couples.

What Percentage of Long Distance Relationships Are Successful?

Being in a long distance relationship can be emotionally demanding, but maintaining open and consistent communication, fostering trust and commitment, and having realistic expectations can help.

Here are some interesting stats about the success rate of LDRs:

  • 58% of long distance relationships succeed.
  • 42% is the failing chance of a long distance relationship.
  • The chance of a long distance relationship breaking up within the first 6 months is 27%. In comparison, a geographically close relationship has a 30% chance.
  • Long distance couples believe their chances of breaking up are lower.
  • Just 2% of high school couples continue their long distance relationship.

What Percentage of Long Distance Relationships Get Married?

10% of marriages happened as a result of long distance relationships. Currently, there are millions of couples who are in a long distance relationship and will eventually get married as the statistics show.

  • 10% of marriages started as long distance relationships.
  • 75% of couples who are engaged have been in a long distance relationship at some time in their life.

How Many Married Couples In The US Are In Long Distance Relationships?

Approximately 3.75 million couples are going through long distance relationships. In fact, 2.9% of all married people fall into this category.

Here’s what the long distance relationship statistics reveal.

  • There are 3.75 million long distance married couples in the US.
  • Long distance married couples make up 2.9% of all US couples.
  • 10% of marriages started as LDR.
  • Long distance marriages among married Americans aged 18 and older increased from about 2.7 million in 2002 to almost 3.9 million in 2017.
  • More than 75% of couples have gone through long distance relationships.

How Many Americans Are In Long Distance Relationships?

Nearly 14.1 million US residents are in long distance relationships. On the contrary, 76% of couples in the United States have never been part of an LDR.

Most long distance relationships occur after high school when students move to college.

  • 14.1 million Americans are in a long distance relationship.
  • 16% of people in the US are in long distance relationships.
  • There are 3.75 million long distance married couples in the US.
  • 2.9% of all US married couples are in a long distance relationship.
  • 32.5% of all long distance relationships involve college students.

How Many College Students Are In Long Distance Relationships?

As we mentioned before, about 32.5% of long distance relationships are college relationships. The reason is that after high school, students move to different colleges in different states and thus engage in LDRs.

Following are some college long distance relationship statistics.

  • 75% of college students have been a part of a long distance relationship at an instance.
  • 32.5% of all long distance relationships involve college students.
  • 3 to 4% of bachelor’s degree holders aged 25-29 are in long distance relationships.
  • 5 to 6% of master’s or doctorate degree holders are in long distance relationships.

Do Long Distance Relationships Ever Last?

It depends on the stage of life and what are the goals and priorities of each person, some couples find it as a stepping stone to a long-term commitment and others find it as a way to be in a relationship while they study or work far away.

  • 58% is the success rate of long distance relationships.
  • Long distance relationships and geographically close relationships have the same lasting chance within the starting three months.
  • There’s a 27% break-up chance for long distance relationships within the initial six months.
  • Long distance couples believe their chances of breaking up are lower.

How Long Does a Long Distance Relationship Usually Last?

There are different data sets for the above questions. On average, a long distance relationship would last 4.5 months. Despite the short duration, married couples are examples of long distance relationships that last longer.

Furthermore, a study related to long distance relationships shows that they last 2.86 years on average. Comparatively, a geographically close relationship would last more than double the period at 7.25 years.

What’s the Longest a Long Distance Relationship Lasted?

The longest long distance relationship was over 44 years according to the available data. However, it is possible that there have been LDRs that have lasted longer but have not been recorded.

In addition, the 2016 study of 600 people found that 5 long distance relationships had lasted for over 30 years and that nearly 12 had lasted for ten years.

The longest reported distance of a long distance relationship was 12,371 miles. One partner was in Santiago, Chile, and the other was in Xi’an, China.

Are Long Distance Couples More Likely to Break Up?

Long distance couples are as likely to break up as geographically close couples. The success rate of long distance relationships is 58% which means that 42% of them break up at some instance.

Here are a few long distance relationship statistics related to break-ups.

  • Within 3 months of moving closer, 37% of long distance couples break up.
  • The breakup rate of long distance relationships is about 42%.
  • There’s a 27% chance of a long distance relationship breaking up within the starting 6 months.
  • Long distance couples feel they are not or less likely to break up.
  • Unplanned changes are the cause of almost 70% breakups among LDR couples.
  • People believe 40.2% of long distance relationships end due to a lack of communication.
  • 28.7% and 17.5% cite jealousy and cheating, respectively, as the reason for long distance relationships to end.

How Common is Cheating in Long Distance Relationships?

Some studies have found that people in long distance relationships may be more likely to cheat because of feelings of loneliness, lack of physical intimacy, or a lack of trust. However, It is difficult to say how common cheating is in long distance relationships, as it can vary depending on many factors.

The following is what long distance relationship cheating statistics show.

  • 17.5% of people believe cheating is the main reason for a long distance relationship to end.
  • Approximately 22% of people in Long Distnance Relationships have cheated on their partners.
  • 68% of couples that meet each month believe their partners are loyal.
  • Just 46% of couples who meet every 4 to 6 months believe their partners are loyal.

Why Do People Give Up on Long Distance Relationships?

It can be difficult for partners to communicate regularly and to feel like they truly understand each other’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can make it harder to maintain the relationship.

Here are the biggest challenges according to long distance relationship statistics.

  • 66% of people feel a lack of physical intimacy.
  • 55% of people are afraid their partner will find someone else.
  • 50% cite loneliness as the reason.
  • 45% of people say the expenses are too much.
  • 40% quote lack of communication as the reason.
  • 33% cite time difference is hard to cope with.

How long do Long Distance Couples Go Without Seeing Each Other?

The frequency of visits for long distance couples can vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the distance between them, their financial situation, and the stage of the relationship. For some couples, it may be possible to see each other regularly, perhaps every few weeks or even every month.

For others, the distance may make it more difficult to see each other as often, and visits may be less frequent, perhaps every few months or even less often.

Long distance relationship statistics show that couples on average:

  • Meet each other 1.5 times every month.
  • Write 3 letters per month to each other.
  • Talk for 30 minutes on the phone together.
  • Talk on call after every 2.7 days.
  • Exchange 343 text messages between each other weekly.

Should You Text Everyday in a Long Distance Relationship?

Yes, you can message your partner daily in a long distance relationship. But it doesn’t mean spending all the time on mobile and becoming counter-productive. Maintaining a balance between work and relationships is necessary for the betterment of both.

As the long distance relationship statistics also show, couples send 343 messages to each other weekly. This implies that 49 messages are sent daily.

Why Do People Go Into Long Distance Relationships?

According to long distance relationship statistics, the following are the most cited reasons for people to go into a long distance relationship.

  • 39.8% of people cited work as their reason for long distance relationships.
  • 31.4% of people cited studying as their long distance relationship reason.
  • 17% of people are in a long distance relationship because of dating online.
  • Only 0.6% of people cited the military as their LDR reason.

What Psychology Says About Long Distance Relationships?

Here are 2 psychological facts about long distance relationships.

You Will Feel More Scared, Stressed, and Lonely

One might feel that they are missing out and their partner is enjoying life without them. This can result in a feeling of loneliness and make you feel depressed at the same time. However, the person should accept that their partner would also be feeling the same.

There Will Be a Fear of Cheating

Couples in long distance relationships often feel that they are being cheated on. In fact, 22% of people have claimed to cheat in an LDR. However, couples who meet often believe their partners are loyal to them.

Are Long Distance Relationships Healthy?

Visiting each other frequently is one of the pillars of a healthy long distance relationship. 68% of couples who visit each other every month believe their partner is loyal according to LDR statistics.

And of course, communication is always key. Do maintain your personal space, but try to always keep in touch with your partner. On average, people in LDRs send 343 messages each week and call each other after every 2.7 days.


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