Key takeaways
In 2023, 118,439 couples got married, down from 127,161 in 2022, but the most popular day to get hitched was 11th November, making it the standout date of the year. However, not all love stories were created equal across Australia's states and territories.
In 2023, the median age at marriage for men was 32.9 years and for women it was 31.2 years.
In 2023, 48,700 divorces were granted in Australia, a small decrease from the previous year. The median age for divorce has also gone up, with men divorcing at a median age of 47.1 years and women at 44.1 years.
Australians are getting older when they marry, slightly fewer are getting divorced, and the timing of these life events continues to evolve. This could influence future property demands, so keep an eye on these numbers.
Love is in the air—or is it?
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has given us a fresh look at the marriage and divorce trends in Australia for 2023, and it’s clear that while love may still be alive and kicking, it’s also becoming a bit more selective about when and where it makes its grand appearance.
Marriage: a springtime affair
First, let’s talk about the happier side of things—marriages.
According to ABS data, In 2023, a total of 118,439 couples decided to say, "I do," down from the record 127,161 lovebirds in 2022.
That’s a 6.9% drop, which might sound like a bit of a letdown, but let’s not forget that 2022 was an exceptional year.
After the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted wedding plans for two years, 2022 saw a surge in marriages as couples rushed to finally walk down the aisle.
Interestingly, the timing of these weddings remains fairly traditional.
The most popular day to get hitched in 2023 was 11th November—an easy date to remember, right?
A whopping 1,799 couples tied the knot on this day, making it the standout date of the year.
It seems spring remains the season of love, with peak marriage numbers occurring during this time, just as it has in the past.
However, not all love stories were created equal across Australia’s states and territories.
New South Wales and Victoria saw significant drops in marriage numbers—13.2% and 10.3% respectively.
On the flip side, Western Australia and South Australia seemed to be riding a different wave, with marriage numbers up by 16.8% and 7.1% respectively.
These states are bucking the trend, perhaps indicating that love is stronger on the west and south coasts.
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Another interesting trend is the increasing age at which couples are getting married.
In 2023, the median age at marriage was 32.9 years for men and 31.2 years for women.
These numbers have crept up slightly from 2022, suggesting that more couples are waiting a bit longer before taking the plunge.
Divorces: a slight dip in the uncoupling
On the flip side, 48,700 divorces were granted in Australia in 2023—a small decrease from the previous year.
The crude divorce rate also dropped slightly, from 2.4 to 2.3 divorces per 1,000 people aged 16 and over.
The median age for divorce has also gone up, with men divorcing at a median age of 47.1 years and women at 44.1 years.
This is a slight increase from 2022, possibly driven by fewer younger couples deciding to call it quits.
It seems that those who make it past the honeymoon phase are holding on a little longer, with the median duration of marriages increasing to 13.0 years.
What does this all mean?
It’s clear that the pandemic had a significant impact on how, when, and perhaps even why Australians are choosing to marry or divorce.
As life returns to a new normal, we’re seeing shifts in behaviour—couples are older when they marry, slightly fewer are getting divorced, and the timing of these life events continues to evolve.
For property investors, these trends could be worth watching.
Older couples might be more financially stable when they buy their first home together, or divorcees might be looking for smaller, more manageable properties as they transition to a new phase of life.
Understanding these demographic shifts can offer insights into future property demands, so keep an eye on these numbers—they just might influence your next investment move.
