ITALIAN COUPLES RELUCTANT TO GIVE UP FREEDOM HAVE WORLD'S LONGEST ENGAGEMENTS 

A study by the European Association of Psychology and Psychotherapy found that Italian couples hold the record for average length of engagement.

Before making the fateful decision, an Italian couple is usually engaged for five years. 

In Japan it lasts 3.5 years, in Germany 1.8 years, in Spain 2.2 and in the United States 1.5. 

The study attributed longer engagements to economic conditions and the fears of being less comfortable and less free. 

Women push harder for marriage, but among men the majority (53%) dream of marrying money.