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23/01/2009
Married Couples Outnumbered By 2010
So-called 'common law' partnerships will outnumber the number of legally married couples in the UK by next year, according to figures published today.
A noticeable amount of people are choosing not to tie the knot, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Between 1998 and 2007 the number of adults registered as married dropped by 8%.
Commentators have cited various reasons for the social changes.
Many suggested financial constraints have made it harder for couple to buy a home and arrange a wedding, which has become increasing expensive.
Less than half of women aged between 18 and 49 were married in 2007, compared to almost 75% of those survey in 1979.
The number of women who have never walked down the aisle has doubled, during this time.
According to the latest statistics, the number of couples choosing to cohabit has grown steadily.
Three times more women were unmarried in 2007 than in 1979.
Nearly 50% of those in a common law relationship surveyed had children, according to the General Household report.
In 2006, only 236,980 weddings took place in England and Wales, the biggest dip in marriages since 1895.
Anastasia de Waal, from the family think tank Civitas, agreed costs were putting more people off getting married.
"We also know there are key trends in terms of the affordability of marriage: some people aren't able to afford it," said Ms de Waal.
(PR/JM)
A noticeable amount of people are choosing not to tie the knot, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Between 1998 and 2007 the number of adults registered as married dropped by 8%.
Commentators have cited various reasons for the social changes.
Many suggested financial constraints have made it harder for couple to buy a home and arrange a wedding, which has become increasing expensive.
Less than half of women aged between 18 and 49 were married in 2007, compared to almost 75% of those survey in 1979.
The number of women who have never walked down the aisle has doubled, during this time.
According to the latest statistics, the number of couples choosing to cohabit has grown steadily.
Three times more women were unmarried in 2007 than in 1979.
Nearly 50% of those in a common law relationship surveyed had children, according to the General Household report.
In 2006, only 236,980 weddings took place in England and Wales, the biggest dip in marriages since 1895.
Anastasia de Waal, from the family think tank Civitas, agreed costs were putting more people off getting married.
"We also know there are key trends in terms of the affordability of marriage: some people aren't able to afford it," said Ms de Waal.
(PR/JM)
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