Single Americans make up more than half of the adult population for the first time since the government began keeping track of those statistics in 1976.

In total, 124.6 million Americans were single in August–50.2 percent of those singles were 16 years or older, according to data used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in its monthly job-market report. That percentage had been hovering just below 50 percent since around the beginning of 2013 before edging above it in July and August.

In 1976, singles accounted for 37.4 percent and has been trending upward since.

A report by Bloomberg says this change could possibly have drastic effects on the economy, society, and politics. It could also be contributing to increasing income inequality in the U.S.

Why do you think more people are single than married today?