Marriages and divorces, 2005

The 11 000 divorces in 2005 correspond to 12.6 divorced per 1 000 married and separated, which is the same as in 2004. In comparison this rate was 11.5 in the beginning of the nineties, and 7.8 a decade earlier. The number of separations, 12 750, was around 400 lower than in 2004.

During 2005, 62 registered partnerships were dissolved by divorce and 60 partnership couples separated.

Most divorced in the age 35-39 years

Still, there were most divorces in the age group 35-39 years for males, compared to the number of married and separated, and for females most occurred among the age groups 30-34 years and 35-39 years. The last three years, the rate increased slightly for females in the age group 30-34 years, whereas for males and females in the age groups 35-39 years the rate has been more stable for the last three years. The number of divorced males and females in the age groups 40-44 years and 45-49 years, compared to married and separated, has increased from 1999 onwards.

56 100 children affected in five years

The divorces granted in 2005 affected 11 200 children under 18 years of age, 400 less than in 2004. In the last five years, divorces have affected 56 100 children.

First-time married males were 33 years

The average age of first-time married males and females in 2005 were 33.2 years and 30.4 years respectively. As in previous years, the average age continues to increase. Compared to never married males and females under 35 years, there were fewer married males and females under 35 years in 2005, than in 2004. Marriage rates were still highest for males in the age group 30-34 years, and for females in the age groups 25-29 years and 30-34 years.

Males and females remarrying again were 47.8 and 43.9 years old respectively.

Almost half married in summer

During the summer months June, July and August most couples marry. In 2005, 10 300, or 46 per cent, got married in the summertime. Only 13 per cent chose the winter months December, January and February. Of the summer months, August was the most popular, as it was in 2003. In 2004, most married in July.

Equal numbers males and females entered into registered partnership

As in 2004, there were 192 registered partnerships entered in 2005, 97 between two males and 95 between two females. Since 1993, only the years 2000 and 2005 saw approximately the same number of females and males entering partnership. During the other years, more males than females did so.

Tables:

• Table 1 Marriages, by county. 1966-2005
• Table 2 Divorces and separations. County. 1981-2005
• Table 3 Marriages contracted. 1950-2005
• Table 4 Marriages contracted, by type of marriage. 1961-2005
• Table 5 Marriages , by previous marital status of the spouses. 1961-2005
• Table 6 Average age at marriage. Males and females. 1961-2005
• Table 7 Marriage rates for first time married males and females in selected age groups. 1961-2005
• Table 8 Marriage rates for divorced males and females in different age groups. 1950-2005 (Corrected 30 October 2007)
• Table 9 Marriage rates for widowers and widows in different age groups. 1950-2005 (Corrected 30 October 2007)
• Table 10 Marriages dissolved. Separations. 1961-2005
• Table 11 Divorce rates for males and females in different age groups. 1959-2005
• Table 12 Number of children involved in divorces. 1971-2005
• Table 13 Divorces, by number of common children and duration of marriage. 2005
• Table 14 Estimated percentage of marriages dissolved, assuming the divorce rates of each single year. 1960-2005
• Table 15 Separation rates for males and females in different age groups.1999-2005
• Table 16 Number of children involved in separations. 1999-2005
• Table 17 Separations, by number of children and duration of marriage. 2005