Australia has recorded a decline in marriages and a slight increase in divorces, according to the latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The data shows 118,804 marriages were registered in 2025, down 1.7 per cent from the previous year, with the national marriage rate falling from 5.5 to 5.3 per 1,000 people aged 16 and over.
The report also found that Australians are choosing to marry later in life. The median age at marriage reached 32.7 years for men and 31.2 years for women. Spring and autumn remained the most popular wedding seasons, with 25 October 2025 emerging as the most popular wedding date.
Meanwhile, Australia recorded 49,158 divorces in 2025, a 4.1 per cent increase compared with 2024. The divorce rate rose slightly from 2.1 to 2.2 divorces per 1,000 people aged 16 and over, marking the first increase since the COVID-19 pandemic. Couples who divorced had typically been separated after a median of 9.4 years of marriage, while the median age at divorce increased to 47.3 years for men and 44.4 years for women.
Experts say the long-term trend reflects changing social attitudes, with more Australians choosing de facto relationships and many couples delaying marriage until later in life. Rising housing and living costs are also believed to be influencing relationship decisions.
