Fewer marriages, more divorces recorded last year

PUTRAJAYA: The number of marriages in 2019 decreased by 1.2% to 203,821 from 206,352 in 2018, the Marriage and

Divorce Statistics report revealed yesterday.

The report, which presents the statistics on marriages and divorces for 2018 and 2019 by demographic characteristics at national, state and administrative district levels, also revealed that the number of divorces had increased by 12% to 56,975 last year from 50,862 in 2018.

Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the median age of grooms remained at 28 years. The median age for brides increased from 26 years in 2018 to 27 years in 2019,” he said in a statement.

He said the increase in the median age of brides was also attributed to the average age of mothers at first birth, up from 27.8 years in 2018 to 27.9 years in 2019.

“The current scenario shows that the tendency for late marriages is among those who are educated and working towards strengthening their individual economic stability, especially those living in urban areas,” he said, adding that this was in line with the increase in urbanisation rate in Malaysia from 70.9% in 2010 to 76.2% in 2019.

Mohd Uzir said the statistics also showed that the oldest groom and bride were recorded at 93 and 86 years old last year.

“Approximately 0.3% of grooms aged 65 years and over have married younger brides at the age group of 24 years and below, while 0.2% of brides aged 65 years and over have married younger grooms at the age group of 24 years old and below,” he said. – Bernama