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Marriage trends changing - new figures

New statistics from the Office for National Statistics, released to coincide with National Marriage Week confirm that marriage trends are changing.

National Marriage Week welcomes the increase in numbers of marriages occurring between 2001 and 2002. An increase of 2 per cent from 249,227 in 2001 to 254,400 in 2002. This increase follows the lowest annual number of marriages seen since 1897 in 2001.

The average age at marriage increased to 35.3 years for men and 32.6 for women. The 2001 figures were 34.8 and 32.2 respectively. The average age for single men marrying in 2002 was 30.9 years and for single women it was 28.7 years.

The provisional marriage rates increased for both men and women, from 27.4 men marrying per 1,000 unmarried men in 2001 to 27.9 in 2002. The corresponding increase for women was from 23.7 in 2001 to 24.2 in 2002.

ONS also found that marriages that were the first for both parties accounted for 59 per cent of all marriages, one percentage point less than in 2001. Remarriages for both parties accounted for 18 per cent of all marriages, the same proportion as in 2001.

Commenting upon this downward trend in first marriages, Richard Kane Director of National Marriage Week said: "Since all three political leaders now agree that marriage is very good for children, and since we can clearly identify a downward trend in first marriages, we are calling upon the Government to dramatically increase the funding for Marriage & relationship support (MARS) from an inadequate £5 million p/a to £25 million p/a."

Funds would not be spent persuading couples to tie the knot, but would be used to support and empower couples who have made that choice already. Initiatives that provide such services are growing quickly, such as Bristol Community Family Trust which was officially launched this week. A continuation of the present approach can only lead to greater family instability.

Jill Kirby, who chairs the family policy group at the Centre for Policy Studies, says: "The biggest cause for concern is the impact on children, who are suffering the fall-out. Every child deserves the opportunity to be brought up by two parents in a lasting relationship, and the evidence keeps telling us that marriage is the key to relationship stability. If we fail to endorse and uphold marriage, we are failing children."

Useful contacts:

Harry Benson runs Bristol Community Family Trust and teaches couples how to stay married. www.bcft.co.uk
Dave Percival www.2-in-2-1.co.uk the UK's leading access point for resources for every stage of marriage."
Jill Kirby, Chairman, Family Policy Group, Centre for Policy Studies Email: jill@tjrkirby.demon.co.uk

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		RESOURCES Marriage trends changing - new figures New statistics from the Office for National Statistics, released to coincide with National Marriage Week confirm that marriage trends are changing. National Marriage Week welcomes the increase in numbers of marriages occurring between 2001 and 2002. An increase of 2 per cent from 249,227 in 2001 to 254,400 in 2002. This increase follows the lowest annual number of marriages seen since 1897 in 2001. The average age at marriage increased to 35.3 years for men and 32.6 for women. The 2001 figures were 34.8 and 32.2 respectively. The average age for single men marrying in 2002 was 30.9 years and for single women it was 28.7 years. The provisional marriage rates increased for both men and women, from 27.4 men marrying per 1,000 unmarried men in 2001 to 27.9 in 2002. The corresponding increase for women was from 23.7 in 2001 to 24.2 in 2002. ONS also found that marriages that were the first for both parties accounted for 59 per cent of all marriages, one percentage point less than in 2001. Remarriages for both parties accounted for 18 per cent of all marriages, the same proportion as in 2001. Commenting upon this downward trend in first marriages, Richard Kane Director of National Marriage Week said: "Since all three political leaders now agree that marriage is very good for children, and since we can clearly identify a downward trend in first marriages, we are calling upon the Government to dramatically increase the funding for Marriage & relationship support (MARS) from an inadequate £5 million p/a to £25 million p/a." Funds would not be spent persuading couples to tie the knot, but would be used to support and empower couples who have made that choice already. Initiatives that provide such services are growing quickly, such as Bristol Community Family Trust which was officially launched this week. A continuation of the present approach can only lead to greater family instability. Jill Kirby, who chairs the family policy group at the Centre for Policy Studies, says: "The biggest cause for concern is the impact on children, who are suffering the fall-out. Every child deserves the opportunity to be brought up by two parents in a lasting relationship, and the evidence keeps telling us that marriage is the key to relationship stability. If we fail to endorse and uphold marriage, we are failing children." Useful contacts: Harry Benson runs Bristol Community Family Trust and teaches couples how to stay married. www.bcft.co.uk Dave Percival www.2-in-2-1.co.uk the UK's leading access point for resources for every stage of marriage." Jill Kirby, Chairman, Family Policy Group, Centre for Policy Studies Email: jill@tjrkirby.demon.co.uk © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.