Marriage and divorce numbers down last year

The number of marriages registered in Northern Ireland in 2009 was 7,900, a decrease on the 8,500 marriages registered in 2008. Last year 2,200 divorces were registered, a marked decrease on the 2008 figure of 2,800 divorces.

These statistics are part of provisional annual statistics released today by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).

August was also the most popular month to get married last year with 1,200 marriages and Saturday, 22 August 2009 was the most popular day with 115 marriages. During 2009 there were 96 civil partnerships registered in Northern Ireland, this compares with 86 civil partnerships in 2008.

A NISRA spokesperson said: “The figures show that 7,900 couples married in Northern Ireland in 2009. Today civil marriage accounts for nearly one in three of all marriages; this proportion having doubled since 1989. The latest figures also show a decrease in the number of divorces – with 2,200 divorces registered in 2009.”

Further more detailed statistics are available in the full release via the NISRA website.

Marriages Registered in 2009

There were 7,931 marriages registered in Northern Ireland in 2009, a decrease of 579 marriages or 7% on the 2008 figure of 8,510 marriages;

the average age at marriage has increased markedly in the last two decades. The average age at marriage for all brides in 2009 was 31 (31.1 years) compared to 26 (25.8 years) in 1989. The average age for the groom in 2009 was 33 (33.4 years), compared to 28 (27.9 years) in 1989;

• of the 7,931 marriages registered in 2009, 5,601 (71%) were religious marriages and the remaining 2,330 (29%) were civil marriages;
• civil marriage ceremonies can be conducted outside Registrar’s Offices in a number of Approved Venues. In 2009, 1,018 civil marriage ceremonies (44% of all civil marriage ceremonies) were held in Approved Venues. The Old Inn, Crawsfordsburn was the most popular Approved Venue in 2009;
• of the 7,931 marriages in 2009, 7,042 (89%) were to couples where one or both partners lived in Northern Ireland. In the remaining 889 marriages (11%) neither partner lived in Northern Ireland; however the vast majority of these (74%) related to marriages where one or both partners were born in Northern Ireland, clearly relating to people returning ‘home’ to get married;
• in 2009, most marriages took place in Belfast Local Government District (1,246 marriages) followed by Newry & Mourne Local Government District (532 marriages). Moyle Local Government District had the fewest marriages registered in 2009 (101 marriages); and
• Saturday 22 August 2009 was the most popular day in 2009 to get married, with 115 couples getting married on that date.

Divorces Registered in 2009

The number of marriages dissolved in Northern Ireland in 2009 was 2,176. This is a decrease of 597 divorces or 22% from the 2008 figure of 2,773 divorces;

• the number of divorces recorded in 2007 (2,913) was the largest on record for Northern Ireland. During the last decade the number of divorces had stabilised with an annual average of around 2,400 per year;
• the average duration of marriage ending in divorce in 2009 was 17.9 years;
• non-cohabitation remains the most frequently recorded reason for divorce (75%), followed by behaviour (13%) and combined grounds (9%);
• over the last three years 15% of divorces related to marriages which took place outside Northern Ireland. Of these divorces, a significant proportion leads to one partner living outside Northern Ireland at the time of their divorce; and
• in 2009, just under 3,900 children/stepchildren were affected by divorce; 2,300 children/stepchildren were aged under 18 at the time of the divorce and 1,600 children/stepchildren were aged 18 and over at the time of the divorce.

Civil Partnerships registered in 2009

The Civil Partnership Act came into force in late 2005, enabling same-sex couples to obtain legal recognition of their relationship. During 2009 there were 96 civil partnerships registered in Northern Ireland, 46 male civil partnerships and 50 female civil partnerships. This is a decrease from the 2008 figure of 86 civil partnerships;

• for male civil partnerships the average age of partners was just over 39 (39.4 years), this compares to just under 36 (35.6 years) for female civil partnerships; and
• in 2009, 74 civil partnership ceremonies were held in Registrar’s Offices. The remaining 22 were held in an Approved Venue.

Notes to editors:

1. The figures on marriages have been compiled from returns furnished by the local registrars. All 2009 statistics are provisional until final figures are published in the Annual Report of the Registrar General.
2. The figures on divorces have been compiled from returns of ‘Decrees made Absolute’ supplied by the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service and include nullities of marriage. Information on the number of Decree Nisis is published by the Northern Ireland Court and Tribunals Service. A Decree Nisi does not terminate the marriage; a couple are still married until the Decree Absolute has been granted.
3. Interactive maps for marriage data at Local Government District and Health Trust levels are available via the Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service (NINIS) website.
4. All media inquiries should be directed to DFP Press Office on 028 9052 7374 or Fax: 028 9052 7149. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
5. Further information on the statistics provided in this publication can be obtained from NISRA Customer Services at:
   Tel: 028 9034 8160
   Fax: 028 9034 8161
   email: census.nisra@dfpni.gov.uk