Abstract We study how promotions to top jobs affect the probability of divorce. We compare the relationship trajectories of winning and losing candidates for mayor and parliamentarian and find that a promotion to one of these jobs doubles the baseline probability of divorce for women, but not for men. We also find a widening gender gap in divorce rates for men and women after being promoted to CEO. An analysis of possible mechanisms shows that divorces are concentrated in more gender-traditional couples, while women in more gender-equal couples are unaffected.

Citation Folke, Olle, and Johanna Rickne. 2020. "All the Single Ladies: Job Promotions and the Durability of Marriage." American Economic Journal: Applied Economics , 12 (1): 260-87 . DOI: 10.1257/app.20180435 Choose Format: BibTeX EndNote Refer/BibIX RIS Tab-Delimited