Australia saw 120,844 marriages in 2024—a 2 percent year-on-year increase. The increase in this number still represents a decrease of 5 percent. In 2022, we registered a record high of 127,161 marriages! This newly accelerated trend is a result of a bubbling cauldron of social forces and changing marriage patterns across this great country.
Women were 31.2 years old on average when they married for the first time, and men 32.8 years old. In Australia, people are marrying later — we’re now more likely to marry in our early 30s. This trend is indicative of a broader trend towards valuing personal and financial stability before getting married.
We looked back at last leap day, February 24, 2024, when a whopping 1,773 couples leapt into matrimony! This date soon ruled as the preferred wedding date of the year. The significance of this date, written numerically as 24/02/24, seemed to have made it even more appealing to couples. The next significant date was April 24, 2024, which had the second most weddings scheduled.
Actual Sunday weddings are rare, as Fridays and Saturdays have become the most common days for weddings. This change is perfectly aligned with long-standing practices, allowing guests to participate without duty interfering. Interestingly, one Thursday recorded a spike in wedding numbers, showcasing that couples are willing to adapt and explore various options for their special day.
Seasons have a big impact as well, with the bulk of weddings happening in spring and fall. Such a seasonal favoritism no doubt corresponds with agreeable climatic surroundings and visually stunning settings that make wedding photography, including engagements, perfect.
New South Wales was at the top of the list with having the highest number of marriages in 2024. Victoria, for example, experienced an extraordinary spike in marital registrations. This quickly turned into 2,234 more marriages, a 7.5 percent increase from the year prior.
All that said, the state of marriage is changing. Candice Bydder observed this led to a clear move in the direction of “much more paperwork only weddings,” indicating a preference for more intimate, courthouse-style nuptials. It’s hard to pinpoint one factor that’s driving this shift, though the increasing cost of living could certainly be a contributor.
“That might be a bit about the cost of living, but also just people wanting to spend that money elsewhere.” – Candice Bydder
This observation underscores a broader societal trend where couples are increasingly mindful of their finances and priorities when planning their weddings.
Australia’s improvement longevity of relationship is already evident. Specifically, the crude divorce rate in 2024 decreased to 2.1 divorces per 1,000 people from 2.3 divorces in 2023. Though marriage rates continue to change, this drop shows that more couples are upholding their promises, finding their way around obstacles and facing them together.
