Skip to main content
National and state statistics on marriages and divorces, including same-sex couples, presented by age, duration and rates
Rates enable comparisons over time as they account for changes in the size of the population.
The graph below shows the number of marriages that occurred each month in 2020 compared to the average over the past five years (2015-19). This provides an insight into how the pandemic impacted numbers throughout the year. For marriages occurring in 2020:
For marriages occurring in 2020:
Marriage statistics are presented by the state or territory in which the marriage was registered, rather than the state or territory of usual residence of the couple. In 2020:
Demographic characteristics such as median age change little year on year so comparisons are best made over a longer period. Since 2010, median age at marriage has increased from:
In 2020:
In 2020:
Most state and territory Registries of Births, Deaths and Marriages provide couples an alternative to marriage in the form of a relationship register. Registers are available to adults who are in a relationship as a couple, regardless of sex. Registered relationships are not included in marriage statistics. Each state and territory Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages that has a relationship register provides counts of registered relationships to the ABS. These counts provide a more holistic picture of how relationships are legalised. Currently Western Australia and the Northern Territory are the only jurisdictions without a register.
In 2020:
Divorces are generally only granted after a period of 12 months or more of separation. As such, any breakdown of marriages during the COVID-19 pandemic, may not be reflected in changes to the divorce rate for some years.
The median age at divorce has increased over time in line with an increase in the median age at marriage. In 2020 the median age at divorce was:
In 2020:
Median duration of marriage to separation and divorce has remained relatively stable over time. The median duration of marriage:
This release previously used catalogue number 3310.0 |