Most say Francis represents change in the church. And many say the church should allow priests to marry and let Catholics use birth control.

Among adults ages 18 to 34, 69% of those who have never been married say they want to get married one day.

Here’s a look back at 2023 through some of our most striking research findings.

A median of 49% of people in 12 places in Asia say they at least somewhat favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally.

Among the 32 places surveyed, support for legal same-sex marriage is highest in Sweden, where 92% of adults favor it, and lowest in Nigeria, where only 2% back it.

Americans are more pessimistic than optimistic about the institution of marriage and the family. At the same time, the public is fairly accepting of diverse family arrangements, though some are seen as more acceptable than others.

Key trends in marriage and family life in the United States.

Younger women, women with a postgraduate degree and Democratic women are more likely to keep their last name after marriage.

As of 2021, 25% of 40-year-olds in the United States had never been married, a significant increase from 20% in 2010.

In 24 places where detailed statistics are available, same-sex marriages in recent years have ranged from less than 1% to 3.4% of all marriages.