The highest number of marriages ever recorded in Northern Ireland was in 1970 (12,300 marriages); in the following thirty years 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 with a small fall last year to 8,500 marriages recorded.
Last year Friday, 8 August 2008 was the most popular day to get married in Northern Ireland. There were 139 marriages on that day compared to 100 marriages on a typical summer Saturday. As well as 8 August being the most popular day, August was also the most popular month to get married with over 1,400 marriages taking place in that month.
Just under 2,800 divorces were registered in Northern Ireland in 2008, a decrease on the 2007 figure of 2,900 divorces which was the highest number of divorces recorded in Northern Ireland in a single year.
During 2008 there were 86 civil partnerships registered in Northern Ireland, this compares with 111 civil partnerships in 2007.
A NISRA spokesperson said that: “The statistics released today show 8,500 couples getting married in Northern Ireland in 2008. The statistics show the continued increase in ages of those getting married with, on average, both men and women today aged over 30 when getting married. This is significantly older than their counterparts three decades ago. The figures also show that just under 2,800 couples got divorced last year.”
Further more detailed statistics are available in the full release at the NISRA website
Marriages Registered in 2008
- There were 8,510 marriages registered in Northern Ireland in 2008, a decrease of 177 marriages or 2% on the 2007 figure of 8,687 marriages;
- The average age at marriage has increased markedly in the last two decades. The average age at marriage for all brides in 2008 was 31 (31.0 years) compared to 26 (25.6 years) in 1988. The average age for the groom in 2008 was 33 (33.3 years), compared to 28 (27.7 years) in 1988;
- Of the 8,510 marriages registered in 2008, 6,039 were religious marriages and the remaining 2,471 were civil marriages;
- The Marriage (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 now allows civil marriage ceremonies to be conducted outside Registrar’s Offices in a number of approved venues. In 2008, 1,056 civil marriage ceremonies (43% of all civil marriage ceremonies) were held in approved venues compared to 1,042 in 2007;
- Outside religious buildings and Registrar Offices most weddings took place in The Old Inn, Crawsfordsburn in 2008;
- Of the 8,510 marriages in 2008, 7,664 (90%) were to couples where one or both partners lived in Northern Ireland. In the remaining 846 marriages (10%) neither partner lived in Northern Ireland; however the vast majority of these (76%) related to marriages where one or both partners were born in Northern Ireland, clearly relating to people returning home to get married;
- In 2008, most marriages took place in Belfast Local Government District (1,336 marriages) followed by Newry & Mourne Local Government District (538 marriages). Moyle Local Government District had the fewest marriages registered in 2008 (103 marriages); and
- Friday, 8 August 2008 was the most popular day in 2008 to get married, with 139 couples getting married on that date.
Divorces Registered in 2008
- The number of marriages dissolved in Northern Ireland in 2008 was 2,773. This is a decrease of 140 divorces or 5% from last year’s figure of 2,913 divorces;
- The number of divorces recorded in 2007 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 2008 was 17.6 years;
- Non-cohabitation remains the most frequently recorded reason for divorce (77%), followed by behaviour (12%) and combined grounds (8%);
- Over the last three years 14% 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 2008, just under 4,800 children/stepchildren were affected by divorce; 2,800 children aged under 18 at the time of the divorce and 2,000 children aged 18 and over at the time of the divorce.
Civil Partnerships registered in 2008
- The Civil Partnership Act came into force in late 2005, enabling same-sex couples to obtain legal recognition of their relationship. During 2008 there were 86 civil partnerships registered in Northern Ireland, 43 male civil partnerships and 43 female civil partnerships. This is a decrease from the 2007 figure of 111 civil partnerships;
- For male civil partnerships the average age of partners was just over 40 (40.6 years), this compares to just under 38 (37.9 years) for female civil partnerships; and
- In 2008, 65 civil partnership ceremonies were held in Registrar’s Offices. The remaining 21 were held in an approved venue.
Notes to Editors:
- This information can also be accessed on the NISRA website.
- The figures on marriages have been compiled from returns furnished by the local registrars. All 2008 statistics are provisional until final figures are published in the Annual Report of the Registrar General.
- The figures on divorces have been compiled from returns of ‘Decrees made Absolute’ supplied by the Northern Ireland Court Service and include nullities of marriage. Information on the number of Decree Nisis is published by the Northern Ireland Court Service. A Decree Nisi does not terminate the marriage; a couple are still married until the Decree Absolute has been granted.
- All media inquiries should be directed to DFP Press Office
Telephone: 028 9052 7374
Fax: 028 9052 7149 - Further information on the statistics provided in this publication can be obtained from NISRA Customer Services at:
Telephone: 028 9034 8160
Fax: 028 9034 8161
E-mail: census.nisra@dfpni.gov.uk
