Approximately 5% of cohabiting couples and 29% of married couples in the US are child-free
Households opting for the DINK lifestyle—double income, no kids—are on the upswing, drawn by financial stability and flexibility in an economy weighed down by living costs and environmental concerns.
Statistics show a gradual rise in this lifestyle, with around 5% of cohabiting couples and 29% of married couples living without children under 18, according to the 2022 American Community Survey.
The DINK trend, which includes variations like DINKWAD (with a dog), offers a liberating financial position, enabling travel and sidestepping escalating parenting expenses.
According to a Pew survey from October 2021, an increasing percentage—44%—of nonparents between ages 18 to 49 said they are not likely to have kids; up from 37% in 2018.
Notably, a growing segment of the aging population opts to remain child-free, with over one in seven women between 40 and 44 choosing not to have children.
Financially speaking
DINKs lead the pack, boasting a median net worth of $250,600 and a six-figure income. Their robust retirement savings, averaging $135,000, contrast starkly with concerns over a looming retirement crisis for younger workers.
According to Federal Reserve data analyzed by Rocket Mortgage, child-free couples living together on average earn approximately $9000 more than couples with kids.
In an unpredictable economic landscape, the DINK lifestyle is attracting more Americans seeking financial security and freedom.