Max-Planck-Institut für demografische Forschung Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research Konrad-Zuse-Strasse 1 · D-18057 Rostock · GERMANY Tel +49 (0) 3 81 20 81 - 0; Fax +49 (0) 3 81 20 81 - 202; http://www.demogr.mpg.de This working paper has been approved for release by: Gerda Ruth Neyer (neyer@demogr.mpg.de) Deputy Head of the Laboratory of Contemporary European Fertility and Family Dynamics. © Copyright is held by the authors. Working papers of the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research receive only limited review. Views or opinions expressed in working papers are attributable to the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute. Does cohabitation prior to marriage raise the risk of marital dissolution and does this effect vary geographically? MPIDR WORKING PAPER WP 2006-051 DECEMBER 2006 Paul J. Boyle Hill Kulu (kulu@demogr.mpg.de)