Married people are the most satisfied in the UK, while those who are separated or divorced are the most dissatisfied, according to new figures released today.

More than a third of married people, or those in a civil partnership, said they were "very" satisfied with their life, compared to just 19.5 per cent of those who are divorced, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics' measure of national wellbeing in the UK.

"We're pleased to see these figures in support of marriage, but it's important to remember that getting married doesn't automatically lead to an increase in life satisfaction levels," Katharine Hill, UK director of Care for the Family told Christian Today.

"We'd like to encourage churches to teach couples how to invest in and enrich their marriage, so that they understand how to strengthen their relationship over time and build their satisfaction levels."

Over 10 per cent fewer single people are "very" satisfied with their life than married people, with 21.9 per cent reporting this level of satisfaction.

Married people are also more satisfied with their lives than those who are widowed or live with their partners, of whom 28.9 per cent said they were "very" satisfied.

The report also showed that the percentage of people who said they had someone to rely on fell between 2011 and 2014. In 2011, 86.4 per cent of people over 16 had a spouse, partner, friend or relative who they could rely on. This figure fell to 84.1 per cent in 2014.

The church can play a key role in countering the effects of these statistics, Hill said, as "when it's working well, church is unique in its ability to bring together people of all ages, races and backgrounds, as members of one family."

She added: "We need to be proactive in developing a culture that honours and supports every individual, during the week as well as on Sunday."