The Office for National Statistics has released statistics relating to marriages in England and Wales in 2013. These statistics shows that the number of marriages in 2013 fell by 8% and this is the first decline since 2009.
Of all marriages in 2013, civil ceremonies accounted for 72%, religious ceremonies had decreased by 14% and civil ceremonies by 6% in 2013. The average age for marriage was 36.7 years for men and 34.3 years for women in 2013. The statistics also showed that those aged 65 and over were more likely to marry in 2013 compared with 2003, with the greatest increase among women.
Elizabeth McLaren, from the Vital Statistics Outputs Branch in the Office for National Statistics has commented on the change:
“Fewer people got married in England and Wales in 2013, the first decrease in marriages since 2009. The fall could indicate the continuation of the long-term decline in marriages or could be due to couples choosing to postpone their marriage to avoid the number 13 which is perceived as unlucky by many cultures.”