In the 19th and early 20th centuries, as the population of Great Britain grew, so too did the number of marriages; numbers peaked in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a result of the post war baby boomers reaching marriageable and child-rearing age.

Since the 1970s however, the overall number of people marrying has been in decline while the average age of first marriage has increased - from 29.3 for men and 27.2 for women in 1996, to 32 and 29.8 respectively in 2007(1). At the same time marriage remains the most prevalent form of partnership between men and women. In 2006 there were 17.1 million families in the UK; around 7 in 10 were headed by a married couple. (2)

Further statistics and research can be found on the following pages, including Changing Marriage, One Plus One’s information sheet on how the social role and meaning of marriage has changed.

1. National Statistics (2010). Marriage, divorce and adoptions statistics: Review of the National Statistician on marriages and divorces in 2007, and adoptions in 2008 in England and Wales. FM2 No. 35.
2. National Statistics (2007) Social Trends 37 (London: The Stationery Office)

Is marriage protective for all children? Cumulative risks at birth and subsequent child behaviour among urban families More+

Should We Get Married? The Effect of Parents’ Marriage on Out-of-Wedlock Children More+

More research

Social Trends: Households and Families
National Statistics publishes in the yearly guide to UK society, Social Trends, on households and families. Including details of marriage and divorce rates, family make-up. This key chapter provides useful background for anyone studying marriage.
www.statistics.gov.uk/socialtrends

Proportion of marriages ending in divorce
This essential chapter provides updated research showing the proportion of marriages that end in divorce or death, including discussions of methodology and the impact of previous marital status, age and duration of marriage on divorce.The article suggests that approximately 45 per cent of
marriages will end in divorce. Almost half these divorces will occur before couples reach their tenth anniversary. Full article

One Plus One’s information sheet on Changing Marriage can be found here.

One Plus One has recently completed a review of the impact of relationship breakdown on adults and children. When couples part: Understanding the consequences for adults and children was published in October 2009. The full report can be purchased from the publications section of the site. Alternatively you can download the executive summary here.  

Number of marriages in the UK More+

Number of marriages: 1900-2007 More+

More statistics

April 2010
Children, Schools and Families Act 2010 More+

March 2010
Marriage (Wales) Act 2010 More+

More policy

Relationship support

Interactive information, advice, exercises and social networking for couples and parents from One Plus One. thecoupleconnection.net

Relate
Relate offers advice, relationship counselling, sex therapy, workshops, mediation, consultations and support face-to-face.
www.relate.org.uk

Marriage Care
Marriage Care provides marriage preparation, relationship counselling, relationship education, a telephone helpline.
www.marriagecare.org.uk

Forced marriage
If you are the victim of forced marriage or concerned about the wellbeing of a friend or family member you can contact the Honour Network - a phone line for the victims of forced marriage.
www.karmanirvana.org.uk
0800 599 9427

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides information for the victims of forced marriage that includes details of local and regional services.
www.fco.gov.uk