Marrying later: what rising marriage ages mean for British couples
In short
In 2022 the median age at first legal partnership in England and Wales was 32.7 for men and 31.2 for women in opposite-sex couples, according to the ONS. Marriage rates have fallen since the early 1970s, to 20.3 per 1,000 unmarried men and 18.3 per 1,000 unmarried women in 2022. Most couples now live together first.
What the full article will cover
- How old are people when they first marry?
- How has the marriage age changed since the 1970s?
- Why are couples marrying later?
- How does later marriage relate to cohabitation?
- Do same-sex couples marry at different ages?
Frequently asked questions
- Is the marriage age higher in Scotland?
- Do men still marry older women less often?
- How many marriages are first marriages?
- What is the legal minimum age to marry in England?
Sources
- ons.gov.uk — https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/marriagecohabitationandcivilpartnerships/bulletins/marriagesinenglandandwalesprovisional/2021and2022
- ons.gov.uk — https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/families/bulletins/familiesandhouseholds/2024
General information, not legal or religious advice.