From a pure economic perspective which is better staying single or getting married?

Considering that being single means all your earnings are kept to yourself. There wouldn't be children or family to spend money on. On the other hand, if you're married you will have almost double income as most couple share their finances.From a pure economic perspective which is better staying single or getting married?
As long as you can STAY married it is probably a better economic decision. Divorce is an expensive diversion that is infinitely more expensive than either remaining single or staying married.





Assuming you remain married for the long term you could take advantage of tax breaks like income splitting, child tax benefits, pooled health and dental benefits, shared accomodation costs and joint retirement savings (pooled principal = higher interest earnings/market returns).





Sure, children cost money to raise but they will save you money on things like household maintenance and long term care as you age. Not enough to earn back what you've spent, but hey, happiness in one area of your life can prevent spending in others like binge-drinking and loose women.





As long as we're on women it also bears consideration that a long term partner, while initially expensive (i.e. wedding and a ring), will cost less in the long run than a series of partners whom you wish to impress through splashy first dates and expensive gifts. Also the cost of satisfying your, um, carnal needs is likely lower in the marital bed than through, um, professional services like strippers, escorts, and one night stands.





Of course all of these financial benefits can be negated by being a philandering free spender with his divorce attorney on speed dial...But we all know that any endeavour involving lawyers only benefits lawyers.





Besides, if you don't have the self control to keep it in your pants or the reason to convince the wife to wait on buying that deep freeze, you're probably not destined for financial success anyway- married or single...From a pure economic perspective which is better staying single or getting married?
I agree with MSean.

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Get married but have no or few (like only one child) as this is the most efficient as two can live cheaper than one. Not only that, if one loses their job, you can normally live off the other's pay until reemployed. Also, you can live a better life style and save more if you are smart. Most but not all married people have to many children and set them selves up for failure(financial).
Economist Harry Dent says that people enter their peak spending years between 25 and 50. These are peak spending because that's when they are raising a family. After the kids leave home the parents become savers, not spenders. That's why our economy has turned down lately, The Boomers have passed their peak spending years.





My opinion from a real world standpoint is that economically you would be better off single. Especially if you are male. On paper the dual income looks good, but in the real world 80 percent of household spending is done by the woman of the house. You will have lost control of most of your income.