Marriages and divorces, 2014

The average age for those entering their first marriage has been increasing for a number of years. The corresponding figures in 1994 were 29.8 years for men and 27.2 years for women. The age has increased every year since 1974, except in 2009 and 2010 when there was a slight decrease.

Fewer marriages

A total of 22 900 marriages were contracted in 2014; about 500 fewer than in 2013. From 1992 to 2000, marriages contracted increased from 18 600 and peaked in 2000 at 25 500. From 2001 to 2007, there were fewer marriages until marriages reached a new peak in 2008. After that, the number of marriages decreased by almost 2 500, from 25 350 in 2008 to 22 900 in 2014.

A total of 269 same-sex marriages were contracted in 2014; 106 between two men and 163 between two women. The number of married same-sex couples has been stable in the last five years. From 2006, there have been more same-sex marriages between two women than between two men who have registered their partnership or marriage. In 2005 there were about as many of each sex, and before 2005 most same sex marriages were between two men.

Fewer first-time married

Compared to 2013, the rate for first-time married decreased in all aged groups except for women in the age group 55-59 years and for men in the age group 50-54 years. The age group 30-34 years for both men and women continued to have the most first marriages.

More remarrying

During the period 1966-1970, 89 out of 100 couples were in their first marriage, and in 2014 the corresponding figure was 73 per cent.

Low divorce rate

The divorce rate was 10.1 for men and 10.6 for women in 2014. This is the lowest since 1989 for men and 1999 for women. The divorce rate was highest for men in the age group 45-49 years and for women in the age group 40-44 years.

In 2014, the parents of 8 600 children under 18 years of age divorced and 11 900 children’s parents separated. This was an increase of 350 children for divorcing couples, while the number of children whose parents separated was roughly the same.

The separation rate was 11.8 for men and 12.6 for women in 2014.

Many get married in June and August

It is most common to marry in the months May to September, when two out of three weddings were held. The peak was in June and August. From May to September, there are more marrying than separating or divorcing. In the rest of the year the trend is reversed.