Women outstrip men in terms of education

THE notion that opposites attract does not ring true for couples in Ireland whether married or cohabiting.

In some ways, we are getting even more similar, as the age differences that were common between couples here 60 years ago have narrowed greatly. Although it is still most common for a man in a couple to be older than the woman, the age gap is just two years and four months on average.

In 25% of couples, only a year or less divides the pair.