August most popular month to get married last year

The number of marriages registered in Northern Ireland in 2007 was 8,700, an increase of over 5% on the 8,300 marriages registered in 2006, the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency said today.

The highest number of marriages ever recorded in Northern Ireland was in 1970 (12,300 marriages). Between 1970 and 2000 the number of marriages declined reaching a low of 7,300 marriages in 2001. Since 2001 the number of marriages has increased to 8,700 in 2007.

Saturday, 7 July 2007 was the most popular day to get married in Northern Ireland. Last year there were 162 marriages on that day compared to 100 marriages on a typical summer Saturday. Whilst 7 July was the most popular day, August was the most popular month to get married with 1,400 marriages taking place in that month.

Just over 2,900 divorces were registered in Northern Ireland in 2007, a 14% increase on the 2006 figure of 2,600 divorces and the highest number of divorces recorded in Northern Ireland in a single year.

During 2007 there were 111 civil partnerships registered in Northern Ireland, this compares with 116 civil partnerships in 2006.

Notes to Editors:

1. Marriage and civil partnership figures are based on returns from local registrars. Divorce statistics have been compiled from ‘Decrees Absolute’ data from the Northern Ireland Court Service.
2. Download the full statistical release (PDF-559KB).
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