Marriages and divorces, 2007

There were also many, 807 couples, who chose to marry at 23 of June, probably because Midsummer Eve was a Saturday. Most couples, about 50 per cent, were married during the summer months June, July and August. Fewest got married in January.

23 500 marriages were contracted in 2007, an increase of 1 750 from the year before.

Most marriages in the age 30-34

The marriage rate for first-time married men and women is highest in the age group 30-34 years. For women, there were approximately as many first-time married in the age group 25-29 years. From 2006, the marriage rates have increased in almost all age groups, but most for men and women in the age group 35-39 years, where it has increased by more than 11 per cent points compared to 2006.

The average age of first-time married males and females in 2007 was 33.7 years and 30.8 years respectively. As in previous years, the average age continued to increase. Twenty years ago, bride and bridegroom were almost eight years younger than they are today. Males and females remarrying were in average 48.3 years and 44.3 years respectively in 2007.

70 per cent of all marriages contracted in 2007 were first-time marriages.

20 per cent find spouse abroad

1 500 women and 3 500 men married a person resident abroad in 2007. Of all marriages contracted in 2007, with at least one part resident in Norway, these marriages counted for 20 per cent of the total number. The major part of the women from abroad marrying a man from Norway came from an Asian country.

46 per cent of the marriages contracted in 2007, where the man was resident in Norway, were entered in the State Church. 32 per cent had a civil wedding, 19 per cent married abroad and 4 per cent in another religious community. The proportion was equal in 2006.

Increase in partnership between females

In 2007, 267 registered partnerships were contracted, an increase of 40 compared to 2006. 110 partnerships were contracted between two males and 157 between two females. As in 2006, there are more partnerships contracted between two females than between two males. Compared to 2006, partnerships among females and males have increased by 32 and 8 per cent respectively. The average age of the oldest partner among men and women were 45.3 years and 38.2 years respectively.

Last year 50 partnerships were dissolved by divorce and 70 partnerships experienced separation.

Fewer divorces and separations

Some 10 300 marriages were dissolved by divorce and 11 400 couples were separated in 2007. Compared to 2004, when numbers of divorces and separations were the highest ever registered, the numbers have decreased every year since. In 2007, 14 500 marriages were dissolved by deaths.

In 2007, divorced per 1000 married and separated were 11.8. In 2004 the rate was 12.6. Compared to 2006, the number of divorces decreased for men in the age group 20-49 years as well as for women in the age group 20-44 years. The highest divorce rate in 2007 for both men and women was in the age group 25-29 years.

Lower risk for divorce

In 2007 the estimate shows that 43.4 per cent of marriages might end in a divorce. This estimate has decreased in the last three years. The estimate in 2007 is 7 per cent points lower than it was in 2004.

More than 50 per cent had common children

Of the couples that divorced in 2007, 44 per cent had no common children, 23 per cent had one child, 24 per cent had two children and 9 per cent had three or more children.

Tables:

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