New Marriage Statistics Released April 2020

The latest statistics from the government have been released. They cover marriages in England and Wales during 2017.

Key Figures: Opposite-sex marriages

• 242,842 marriages took place in 2017. This shows a decrease of 2.8% from the previous year.
• Marriages for opposite-sex couples were the lowest on record.
• The average age of couples marrying was 38 for men and 35.7 for women.
• Less than a quarter of marriages were religious ceremonies, again the lowest number recorded.
• 88% of opposite-sex couples lived together before getting married in 2017
• In the past 10 years, marriage rates for those aged under 20 have decreased by 57% for men and 62% for women
• Marriage rates for those 65 and over have increased;  31% for men and 89% for women.
• More than three-quarters of men (76%) and women (77%) married for the first time in 2017.

Key Figures: Same-sex marriages

• There were 6,932 same-sex marriages in 2017. This is a small decrease from 7,019 in 2016.
• 56% of same-sex marriages were between females.
• For 89% of men and 81% of women in 2017, their marriage was their first legally recognised relationship.
• 1,072 same-sex couples converted an existing civil partnership into a marriage.

To find out more and to read expert opinion on the latest statistics, head over to Guides for Brides for the full article.

Katy and AdamSt Pierre Marriott, Chepstow