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NewsONS: Marriage rate in England and Wales low in 2008
ONS: Marriage rate in England and Wales low in 2008
Posted by Mark Cunningham
The marriage rate recorded in England and Wales in 2008 was the lowest in over a century, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
New figures from the organisation - which serves to produce independent information to improve understanding of the UK's economy and society - suggest that 232,990 such unions took place during the 12-month period.
The last time a low like this occurred was in 1895, when 228,204 couples tied the knot.
However, the ONS pointed out that 2008's number is not yet complete and it expects around one per cent to be added to the total by spring next year when all register offices and the clergy have submitted the relevant information.
The organisation also revealed that over six in ten weddings (63 per cent) were the first for both partners.
It went on to suggest that marriage rate has been falling on the whole over recent decades, apart from an anomalous period between 2002 and 2004.
12/02/2010 16:36
News category: Family