From 2022, the number of tables reported for Marriages and Divorces has been reduced. Further statistics may be available on request via the ABS Contact Us page, or the Customer Assistance Service on 1300 135 070.
Marriages and Divorces, Australia
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National and state statistics on marriages and divorces, including same-gender couples
Reference period
2022
Released
1/12/2023
Key statistics
- 127,161 marriages were registered in 2022, the highest on record after lows in 2020 and 2021.
- The most popular marriage date was 22/10/22, with 2,202 marriages on that day.
- Divorces returned to usual levels (49,241) after administrative changes led to the finalisation of more divorces in 2021.
Marriages
There were 127,161 marriages registered in Australia in 2022, the highest number on record. This historic high comes after two years where marriages were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with only 78,987 marriages recorded in 2020 and 89,167 in 2021. Prior to 2022, the highest number of marriages was recorded in 2012 (123,243).
The crude marriage rate (the number of marriages divided by the population aged 16 and over) was 6.1 marriages per 1,000 people 16 years and over in 2022. This rate is slightly higher than those recorded in the five years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (2015 to 2019), but lower than rates recorded prior to 2015.
The median age at marriage has increased to 32.5 years for males (from 32.1 years in 2021) and 30.9 years for females (from 30.5 years in 2021).
Marriages for couples of the same gender also increased in 2022 but remained lower than 2018 and 2019. Marriage between people of the same sex or gender was legislated from December 2017.
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total marriages registered (no.) (a) | 119,186 | 113,815 | 78,987 | 89,167 | 127,161 |
| Crude marriage rate (b) | 6.0 | 5.6 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 6.1 |
| Median ages | |||||
| Median age at marriage, male (years) | 32.4 | 32.3 | 32.2 | 32.1 | 32.5 |
| Median age at marriage, female (years) | 30.5 | 30.5 | 30.6 | 30.5 | 30.9 |
| Marriages of the same gender | |||||
| Male marriages of the same gender (no.) (c) | 2,757 | 2,260 | 1,116 | 1,075 | 1,767 |
| Female marriages of the same gender (no.) (c) | 3,784 | 3,245 | 1,785 | 1,770 | 2,667 |
- Restrictions put in place during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic had a direct impact on marriages in 2020 and 2021. Comparisons to other years should be treated with caution.
- Crude marriage rates reflect the number of marriages registered during the year per 1,000 of estimated resident population aged 16 years and over, as at 30 June for the same year. This differs to previous publications where crude rates included all ages. Rates should not be compared with those published in previous years.
- In September 2021, marriage registration forms were updated to record gender including male, female and non-binary. Prior to 2022, sex was collected on marriage registration forms. Comparisons should be treated with caution.
- Refer to the methodology for more information.
- Restrictions put in place during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic had a direct impact on marriages in 2020 and 2021. Comparisons to other years should be treated with caution.
- Crude marriage rates reflect the number of marriages registered during the year per 1,000 of estimated resident population aged 16 years and over, as at 30 June for the same year. This differs to previous publications where crude rates included all ages. Rates should not be compared with those published in previous years.
- Refer to the methodology for more information.
Marriages by state and territory
For marriages registered in 2022:
- All states and territories registered more marriages than the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020 and 2021.
- Marriage numbers in all states and territories other than Western Australia were higher than 2019 (the last year not affected by the pandemic).
- The largest states recorded proportional increases compared to 2019 (New South Wales 13.5%, Victoria 16.1%, Queensland 12.9%), while the highest proportional increases were recorded in the Australian Capital Territory (24.4%) and Tasmania (18.1%).
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 40,583 | 39,597 | 27,609 | 27,314 | 44,953 |
| Vic. | 30,151 | 28,632 | 16,628 | 18,740 | 33,231 |
| Qld | 23,641 | 22,150 | 15,917 | 21,627 | 25,014 |
| SA | 7,741 | 7,122 | 5,429 | 6,778 | 7,268 |
| WA | 12,218 | 11,659 | 9,561 | 10,305 | 11,237 |
| Tas. | 2,494 | 2,388 | 2,016 | 2,328 | 2,821 |
| NT | 794 | 806 | 549 | 796 | 819 |
| ACT | 1,564 | 1,461 | 1,278 | 1,279 | 1,818 |
- Marriage data is based on the state or territory of registration rather than usual residence.
- Restrictions put in place during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic had a direct impact on marriages in 2020 and 2021. Comparisons to other years should be treated with caution.
- Refer to the methodology for more information.
Marriages by date of occurrence
- In 2022, the seasonal pattern of marriages returned to normal, with peaks in marriage numbers recorded in spring and autumn and lower numbers of marriages in July and over the Christmas period.
- The most popular date to marry in 2022 was 22/10/22 with 2,202 marriages, a standout with 454 more marriages than the second most popular date (8/10/22).
- 22/10/22 was the fifth most popular wedding date since 2012. The highest recorded over that time was 10/11/12 with 3,081 marriages.
- Data is presented by the date the marriage occurred. A proportion of marriages occurring in a year are not registered until subsequent years.
- This graph includes marriages registered and received by the ABS in 2023. Totals will differ to data by year of registration.
- Refer to the methodology for more information.
Divorces
In 2022:
- 49,241 divorces were granted in Australia, a return to a more typical level of divorces after administrative changes in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia resulted in 56,244 divorces being granted in 2021.
- The median duration of marriages (from marriage to divorce) increased to 12.8 years (from 12.2 years in 2021).
- The median age at divorce increased from 45.9 in 2021 to 46.7 in 2022 for males and from 43.0 to 43.7 for females.
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divorces granted (absolute) (no.) (a) | 49,674 | 48,582 | 49,510 | 56,244 | 49,241 |
| Crude divorce rate (b) | 2.5 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 2.4 |
| Median duration | |||||
| Median duration of marriage to separation (years) | 8.5 | 8.6 | 8.4 | 8.4 | 8.9 |
| Median duration of marriage to divorce (years) | 12.2 | 12.3 | 12.1 | 12.2 | 12.8 |
| Median ages | |||||
| Median age at divorce, male (years) | 45.9 | 45.9 | 45.6 | 45.9 | 46.7 |
| Median age at divorce, female (years) | 43.1 | 43.1 | 42.8 | 43.0 | 43.7 |
- The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia have advised that the high number of divorces finalised in 2021 is in part related to administrative changes. This constitutes a break in time series and any comparison with earlier years should be made with caution.
- Crude divorce rates reflect the number of divorces granted during the year per 1,000 of estimated resident population aged 16 and over, as at 30 June that year. This differs to previous publications where crude rates included all ages. Rates should not be compared with those published in previous years.
- Refer to the methodology for more information.
- The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia have advised that the high number of divorces finalised in 2021 is in part related to administrative changes. This constitutes a break in time series and any comparison with earlier years should be made with caution.
- Crude divorce rates reflect the number of divorces granted during the year per 1,000 of estimated resident population aged 16 and over, as at 30 June that year. This differs to previous publications where crude rates included all ages. Rates should not be compared with those published in previous years.
- Refer to the methodology for more information.
Data downloads
1. Marriages and Divorces (Australia) 2022
Data files
Previous catalogue number
This release previously used catalogue number 3310.0