In 1996, 13.3 million persons were single and had never married – that is, 46.1% of the Canadian population. Since 1981, there has been an increase in the proportion of single people 15 years of age or older. This is partly attributable to the fact that young people are waiting longer to get married or prefer to live common-law. In 1996, four out of ten individuals living alone reported being of a "single marital status", the same as for 1991. The proportion of single people aged 25 to 29 years has increased where, in 1996, 59% of that age group has never married. This does not take into account the persons living in a common-law union.