3310.0 - Marriages and Divorces, Australia, 2012  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 27/11/2013   
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MEDIA RELEASE
27 November 2013
Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra time)
209/2013

How long can we wait before tying the knot?

In 2012, there were 123,244 marriages registered and 49,917 divorces granted in Australia, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today.

ABS Director of Health and Vitals, James Eynstone-Hinkins, said that both the number of marriages registered and divorces granted increased from the figures reported in 2011.

"Since 1992, the median age at marriage for males has increased by 2.7 years, from 28.7 years of age in 1992 to 31.4 years of age in 2012," Mr Eynstone-Hinkins said.

"Similarly, the median age at marriage for females has increased by 3.1 years, from 26.3 years of age in 1992 to 29.4 years of age in 2012. However, for the past five years the median age at marriage for both males and females has remained virtually unchanged."

"The number of marriage ceremonies overseen by a civil celebrant has increased again in 2012, representing 71.9 per cent of all marriages, compared to 28.1 per cent of all marriages being overseen by a minister of religion."

"This is in comparison to 1992 when the proportion of all marriages overseen by a civil celebrant was 38.7 per cent and a minister of religion was 61.3 per cent."

Over the past five years there has been a gradual increase in the median age at separation and divorce. This aligns with a gradual increase in the median age at first marriage.

"Of the divorces granted in 2012, the median ages at separation and divorce for males were 41.0 years and 44.6 years of age respectively."

"The median ages of females at time of separation and divorce were lower than those of males, at 38.5 and 41.8 years of age respectively," Mr Eynstone-Hinkins said.

Further information is available in Marriages and Divorces, Australia, 2012 (cat. no. 3310.0), available for free download from the ABS website.

Media Notes:
  • When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.