Stats show SA couples getting married later

MARRIAGE trends in South Africa are shifting, with more women choosing to delay marriage in favour of financial independence and career growth.

- SIPHESIHLE BUTHELEZI

While the overall number of marriages increased in 2022 compared to 2021, long-term trends still point to a change in priorities. According to Statistics South Africa’s Marriages and Divorces report, 111,784 civil marriages, 4,376 customary marriages, and 2,461 civil unions were registered in 2022.

Compared to 2021, civil marriages increased by 5%, customary marriages by a significant 63.5%, and civil unions by 9.9%. However, despite this short-term rise, people are getting married later.

The median age of bridegrooms in civil marriages was 38 years, while the median age for brides was 34 years. For customary marriages, grooms had a median age of 35 years, while brides were younger at 29. Civil unions also followed a similar pattern, with the median ages being 35 and 33 for the two.

Dr Kerry Frizelle, a counselling psychologist at the University of the Western Cape, believes these delays in marriage are a reflection of changing societal attitudes.