Pensioners more likely to marry than young men, report finds

The marriage rate for young people has plummeted by almost 100 per cent over the last 50 years, a shocking new analysis has found.

In the Centre for Social Justice’s (CSJ) report ‘I Do?’, the think-tank revealed that the marriage rate among 20 to 24-year-old women has dropped by 97 per cent since 1972, and 98 per cent for men.

Male pensioners are now more likely to get married than young men, with the marriage rate a third lower for under-25s. Just two per cent of men tie the knot by 25 years old.

‘Lost Covid marriages’

CSJ observed that despite a UK population increase of ten million between 1973 and 2023, the number of marriages dropped from 400,000 to 224,402 over the same period.

The think-tank expressed concern at the lack of ‘bounce back’ in marriages following the pandemic, noting that more than 100,000 “lost COVID-19 weddings were never rescheduled”.

“This profound change to our society has gone largely unremarked upon, yet it carries huge implications. The data shows that cohabiting couples (unmarried couples living together) are more likely to be lonely, have relationships that are much less stable, and domestic abuse rates that are much higher.”

Dan Lilley, Programme Lead at the CSJ, added: “People want to get married. We need to be helping foster good relationships and an environment where marriage is much easier.”

‘Lifetime’

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Revd Robert Byrne said: “There is never a perfect time to get married, or to have children. There will always be a good reason to continue putting it off – your finances, the stage of career you’re in, the cost of living, indeed, the cost of weddings – take your pick. But that has never been the point.”

“Marriage and having kids shatter the illusion that we are built to do life on our own. Both are a standing rebuke to the individualistic adage so often bandied around: ‘You do you.'”

Reflecting on his own marriage aged 25, he said the union has “truly been the opportunity of a lifetime. For my wife and I, marriage has been like a mirror. I see her, she sees me; at our best, and at our worst. We continue to grow together in grace, compassion, commitment and trust”.