www.singstat.gov.sg
Statistics on
Marriages and Divorces
Reference Year 2022
STATISTICS ON MARRIAGES AND DIVORCES, 2022
ISSN 2591-7900
© Department of Statistics, Ministry of Trade & Industry, Republic of Singapore
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Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► i
PREFACE
Before 1980, data on marriages were analyzed and published in the
annual Report on Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages. The Singapore
Department of Statistics initiated the collection of divorce statistics in 1981, and
consolidated the statistics on marriages and divorces into a single report in 1985.
The marriage and divorce statistics provide important inputs for formulating
population and related policies.
This report, Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022, is the thirty-
ninth in a regular series of publications. Parts 1 and 2 analyse the marriage trends
and characteristics of grooms and brides as well as the nature of divorces and
characteristics of divorcees in the reference year. With effect from this year, we
have added Part 3 to include cohort indicators on dissolution rate of marriages, to
provide insights on the trends in the stability of marriages by marriage cohorts and
their profiles. This complements the period indicators in Parts 1 and 2 to give a
more comprehensive picture on marriages ending in divorce or annulment.
I would like to thank the Ministry of Social and Family Development,
Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Registry of Marriages, Registry of
Muslim Marriages, Family Justice Courts and Syariah Court for providing the data
on marriages and divorces. I would also like to thank all others who have
contributed towards this publication.
Koh Eng Chuan
Chief Statistician
Singapore
July 2023
ii ◄ Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 Singapore Department of Statistics
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Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► iii
CONTENTS
Page
Preface ................................................................................................................i
Contents ........................................................................................................... iii
List of Tables .................................................................................................... iv
Key Indicators on Marriages and Divorces ................................................. xiii
Part 1 Marriage Trends
Number of Marriages Registered .......................................................... 3
General Marriage Rate .......................................................................... 4
Age-Specific Marriage Rate .................................................................. 4
Marriages by Marriage Order ................................................................ 5
Median Age at Marriage ........................................................................ 6
Age Differential at First Marriage ........................................................... 6
Median Age at First Marriage by Educational Qualification ................... 7
Inter-ethnic Marriages ........................................................................... 8
Marriages of Minors .............................................................................. 9
Part 2 Divorce and Annulment Trends
Number of Marital Dissolutions ........................................................... 13
General Divorce Rate .......................................................................... 14
Age-Specific Divorce Rate .................................................................. 14
Age at Divorce ..................................................................................... 15
Marriage Duration ............................................................................... 16
Main Reasons for Divorce and Plaintiff ............................................... 17
Annulment of Marriages under the Woman’s Charter .................................. 18
Part 3 Dissolution of Marriages Among Marriage Cohorts
Background ......................................................................................... 21
By Marriage Duration .......................................................................... 22
By Marriage Type ................................................................................ 23
By Age Group at Marriage of Males/ Females .................................... 24
By Educational Qualification at Marriage of Males/ Females .............. 26
By Marriage Order of Couple .............................................................. 28
Source and Data Coverage ........................................................................... 29
Glossary ......................................................................................................... 31
iv ◄ Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 Singapore Department of Statistics
LIST OF TABLES
All statistical tables can be downloaded here.
Table
Part 1 - Total Marriages
T1. Key Indicators On Marriages, 1961 – 2022
T2. Marriage Rates, 1980 – 2022
T3. Total Marriages by Age Group of Grooms and Brides, 1961 – 2022
T4. Total Marriages by Age Differential of Grooms to Brides and Marriage
Order, 1984 – 2022
T5. Median Age of Grooms and Brides by Marriage Order, 1961 – 2022
T6. Median Age of Grooms by Ethnic Group, 1984 – 2022
T7. Median Age of Brides by Ethnic Group, 1984 – 2022
T8. Median Age at First Marriage of Grooms and Brides by Educational
Qualification, 1984 – 2022
T9. Marriages of Minors Aged Below 21 Years, 1984 – 2022
Part 1 - Marriages under the Women’s Charter
T10. Marriages under the Women’s Charter by Ethnic Group of Couple,
1984 – 2022
T11. Marriages under the Women’s Charter by Age Group of Grooms,
1961 – 2022
T12. Marriages under the Women’s Charter by Age Group of Brides,
1961 – 2022
T13. Median Age of Grooms and Brides Married under the Women’s Charter
by Marriage Order, 1961 – 2022
T14. Median Age of Grooms Married under the Women’s Charter by Ethnic
Group, 1980 – 2022
T15. Median Age of Brides Married under the Women’s Charter by Ethnic
Group, 1980 – 2022
T16. Marriages under the Women’s Charter by Ethnic Group of Couple and
Month of Marriage, 1984 – 2022
T17. Marriages under the Women’s Charter by Previous Marital Status and
Ethnic Group of Couple, 1984 – 2022
T18. Inter-ethnic Marriages under the Women’s Charter by Ethnic Group of
Grooms and Brides, 1984 – 2022
T19. Marriages under the Women’s Charter by Age Group of Grooms and
Brides, 1983 – 2022
T20. Marriages under the Women’s Charter by Age Group and Ethnic Group
of Grooms and Brides, 1980 – 2022
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► v
LIST OF TABLES (cont’d)
Table
T21. Marriages under the Women’s Charter by Age Group and Previous
Marital Status of Grooms, 1980 – 2022
T22. Marriages under the Women’s Charter by Age Group and Previous
Marital Status of Brides, 1980 – 2022
T23. First Marriages for Grooms under the Women’s Charter by Age Group of
Grooms and Brides, 1980 – 2022
T24. First Marriages for Brides under the Women’s Charter by Age Group of
Grooms and Brides, 1980 – 2022
T25. First Marriages for Couples under the Women’s Charter by Age Group of
Grooms and Brides, 1980 – 2022
T26. Marriages under the Women’s Charter by Age Group and Educational
Qualification of Grooms and Brides, 1984 – 2022
T27. Marriages under the Women’s Charter by Educational Qualification of
Grooms and Brides, 1984 – 2022
T28. First Marriages for Couples under the Women’s Charter by Educational
Qualification of Grooms and Brides, 1984 – 2022
T29. Inter-ethnic Marriages under the Women’s Charter by Educational
Qualification of Grooms and Brides, 1984 – 2022
T30. Median Age at First Marriage of Grooms and Brides under the Women’s
Charter by Educational Qualification, 1984 – 2022
T31. Marriages under the Women’s Charter by Religion of Grooms and
Brides, 1984 – 2022
T32. Resident Marriages under the Women’s Charter by Ethnic Group of
Couple, 1984 – 2022
T33. Marriages under the Women’s Charter by Age Group and Educational
Qualification of Resident Grooms and Brides, 1984 - 2022
Part 1 - Marriages under the Administration of Muslim Law Act
T34. Marriages under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Ethnic Group
of Couple, 1984 – 2022
T35. Marriages under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Age Group of
Grooms, 1961 – 2022
T36. Marriages under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Age Group of
Brides, 1961 – 2022
T37. Median Age of Grooms and Brides Married under the Administration of
Muslim Law Act by Marriage Order, 1961 – 2022
T38. Median Age of Grooms Married under the Administration of Muslim Law
Act by Ethnic Group, 1980 – 2022
vi ◄ Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 Singapore Department of Statistics
LIST OF TABLES (cont’d)
Table
T39. Median Age of Brides Married under the Administration of Muslim Law
Act by Ethnic Group, 1980 – 2022
T40. Marriages under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Ethnic Group
of Couple and Month of Marriage, 1984 – 2022
T41. Marriages under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Previous
Marital Status and Ethnic Group of Couple, 1984 – 2022
T42. Inter-ethnic Marriages under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by
Ethnic Group of Grooms and Brides, 1984 – 2022
T43. Marriages under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Age Group of
Grooms and Brides, 1983 – 2022
T44. Marriages under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Age Group
and Ethnic Group of Grooms and Brides, 1980 – 2022
T45. Marriages under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Age Group
and Previous Marital Status of Grooms, 1980 – 2021
T46. Marriages under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Age Group
and Previous Marital Status of Brides, 1980 – 2022
T47. First Marriages for Grooms under the Administration of Muslim Law Act
by Age Group of Grooms and Brides, 1980 – 2022
T48. First Marriages for Brides under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by
Age Group of Grooms and Brides, 1980 – 2022
T49. First Marriages for Couples under the Administration of Muslim Law Act
by Age Group of Grooms and Brides, 1984 – 2022
T50. Marriages under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Age Group
and Educational Qualification of Grooms and Brides, 1984 – 2022
T51. Marriages under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Educational
Qualification of Grooms and Brides, 1984 – 2022
T52. First Marriages for Couples under the Administration of Muslim Law Act
by Educational Qualification of Grooms and Brides, 1984 – 2022
T53. Inter-Ethnic Marriages under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by
Educational Qualification of Grooms and Brides, 1984 – 2022
T54. Median Age at First Marriage of Grooms and Brides under the
Administration of Muslim Law Act by Educational Qualification,
1984 – 2022
T55. Resident Marriages under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by
Ethnic Group of Couple, 1984 – 2022
T56. Marriages under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Age Group
and Educational Qualification of Resident Grooms and Brides,
1984 – 2022
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► vii
LIST OF TABLES (cont’d)
Table
Part 2 - Total Divorces
T1. Key Indicators on Divorces, 1980 – 2022
T2. Divorce Rates, 1980 – 2022
T3. Total Divorces by Age Group and Sex of Divorcees, 1980 – 2022
T4. Total Divorces by Duration of Marriage, 1980 – 2022
Part 2 - Divorces under the Women’s Charter
T5. Divorces under the Women’s Charter by Age Group and Sex of
Divorcees, 1980 – 2022
T6. Divorces under the Women’s Charter by Duration of Marriage,
1980 – 2022
T7. Divorces under the Women’s Charter by Ethnic Group of Couple,
1980 – 2022
T8. Median Age of Male Divorcees under the Women’s Charter by Ethnic
Group, 1980 – 2022
T9. Median Age of Female Divorcees under the Women’s Charter by Ethnic
Group, 1980 – 2022
T10. Divorces under the Women’s Charter by Ethnic Group of Couple,
January – December, 1980 – 2022
T11. Divorces under the Women’s Charter by Previous Marital Status and
Ethnic Group of Couple, 1980 – 2022
T12. Inter-ethnic Divorces under the Women’s Charter by Ethnic Group of
Male and Female Divorcees, 1980 – 2022
T13. Divorces under the Women’s Charter by Age Group of Male and Female
Divorcees, 1980 – 2022
T14. Divorces under the Women’s Charter by Age Group, Ethnic Group and
Sex of Divorcees, 1980 – 2022
T15. Divorces under the Women’s Charter by Age Group, Previous Marital
Status and Sex of Divorcees, 1980 – 2022
T16. Divorces under the Women’s Charter by Age at Marriage of Male and
Female Divorcees, 1980 – 2022
T17. Divorces under the Women’s Charter by Age at Marriage, Ethnic Group
and Sex of Divorcees, 1980 – 2022
T18. Divorces under the Women’s Charter by Duration of Marriage and Ethnic
Group of Couple, 1980 – 2022
T19. Divorces under the Women’s Charter by Duration of Marriage and
Number of Children under 18 and 21 Years, 2004 – 2022
viii ◄ Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 Singapore Department of Statistics
LIST OF TABLES (cont’d)
Table
T20. Divorces under the Women’s Charter by Age Group and Sex of
Divorcees, and Duration of Marriage, 1980 – 2022
T21. Divorces under the Women’s Charter by (A) Duration of Marriage; (B)
Plaintiff; and Main Reason for Divorce, 1980 – 2022
T22. Divorces under the Women’s Charter by Main Reason for Divorce and
Ethnic Group of Couple, 2004 – 2022
T23. Divorces under the Women’s Charter by Age Group and Sex of
Divorcees, and Main Reason for Divorce, 2004 – 2022
Part 2 - Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act
T24. Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Age Group and
Sex of Divorcees, 1980 – 2022
T25. Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Duration of
Marriage, 1980 – 2022
T26. Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Ethnic Group of
Couple, 1980 – 2022
T27. Median Age of Male Divorcees under the Administration of Muslim Law
Act by Ethnic Group, 1980 – 2022
T28. Median Age of Female Divorcees under the Administration of Muslim
Law Act by Ethnic Group, 1980 – 2022
T29. Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Ethnic Group of
Couple, January – December, 1980 – 2022
T30. Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Previous Marital
Status and Ethnic Group of Couple, 2015 – 2022
T31. Inter-ethnic Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by
Ethnic Group of Male and Female Divorcees, 1980 – 2022
T32. Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Age Group of
Male and Female Divorcees, 1980 – 2022
T33. Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Age Group,
Ethnic Group and Sex of Divorcees, 1980 – 2022
T34. Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Age Group,
Previous Marital Status and Sex of Divorcees, 2015 – 2022
T35. Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Age at Marriage
of Male and Female Divorcees, 1980 – 2022
T36. Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Age at
Marriage, Ethnic Group and Sex of Divorcees, 1980 – 2022
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► ix
LIST OF TABLES (cont’d)
Table
T37. Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Duration of
Marriage and Ethnic Group of Couple, 1980 – 2022
T38. Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Duration of
Marriage and Number of Children under 18 and 21 Years, 2002 – 2022
T39. Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Age Group and
Sex of Divorcees, and Duration of Marriage, 1980 – 2022
T40. Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by (A) Duration of
Marriage; (B) Plaintiff; and Main Reason for Divorce, 1983 – 2022
T41. Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Main Reason
for Divorce and Ethnic Group of Couple, 2004 – 2022
T42. Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act by Age Group and
Sex of Divorcees, and Main Reason for Divorce, 2004 – 2022
Part 2 - Annulments under the Women’s Charter
T43. Annulments under the Women’s Charter by Age Group and Sex,
1980 – 2022
T44. Annulments under the Women’s Charter by Duration of Marriage,
1980 – 2022
T45. Annulments under the Women’s Charter by Ethnic Group of Couple,
1980 – 2022
T46. Annulments under the Women’s Charter by Ethnic Group of Couple,
January – December, 1980 – 2022
T47. Annulments under the Women’s Charter by Age Group of Husbands and
Wives, 1980 – 2022
T48. Annulments under the Women’s Charter by Duration of Marriage, Age
Group and Sex, 1980 – 2022
T49. Annulments under the Women’s Charter by Previous Marital Status of
Husbands and Wives, 1980 – 2022
x ◄ Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 Singapore Department of Statistics
LIST OF TABLES (cont’d)
Table
Part 3 - Dissolution of Marriages Among Marriage Cohorts
T1. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Marriages, 1987 – 2020
T2. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Marriages by Marriage
Type, 1987 – 2020
T3. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Marriages for Males by
Age Group at Marriage, 1987 – 2020
T4. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Marriages for Females by
Age Group at Marriage, 1987 – 2020
T5. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Marriages by Ethnic Group
of Couple, 1987 – 2020
T6. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Marriages for Males by
Educational Qualification at Marriage, 1987 – 2020
T7. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Marriages for Females by
Educational Qualification at Marriage, 1987 – 2020
T8. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Marriages by Educational
Differential at Marriage, 1987 – 2020
T9. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Marriages by Marriage
Order of Couple, 1987 – 2020
Part 3 - Dissolution of Marriages Among Civil Marriage Cohorts
T10. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Civil Marriages for Males
by Age Group at Marriage, 1987 – 2020
T11. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Civil Marriages for Females
by Age Group at Marriage, 1987 – 2020
T12. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Civil Marriages by Ethnic
Group of Couple, 1987 – 2020
T13. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Civil Marriages for Males
by Educational Qualification at Marriage, 1987 – 2020
T14. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Civil Marriages for Females
by Educational Qualification at Marriage, 1987 – 2020
T15. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Civil Marriages by
Educational Differential at Marriage, 1987 – 2020
T16. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Civil Marriages by Marriage
Order of Couple, 1987 – 2020
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► xi
LIST OF TABLES (cont’d)
Table
Part 3 - Dissolution of Marriages Among Muslim Marriage Cohorts
T17. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Muslim Marriages for
Males by Age Group at Marriage, 1987 – 2020
T18. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Muslim Marriages for
Females by Age Group at Marriage, 1987 – 2020
T19. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Muslim Marriages by
Ethnic Group of Couple, 1987 – 2020
T20. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Muslim Marriages for
Males by Educational Qualification at Marriage, 1987 – 2020
T21. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Muslim Marriages for
Females by Educational Qualification at Marriage, 1987 – 2020
T22. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Muslim Marriages by
Educational Differential at Marriage, 1987 – 2020
T23. Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Muslim Marriages by
Marriage Order of Couple, 1987 – 2020
Notation
- nil
na not applicable
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► xiii
KEY INDICATORS ON MARRIAGES AND DIVORCES
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
28,212
27,007
25,434
22,651
28,329
29,389
7,578
7,344
7,623
6,959
7,890
7,107
45.7
43.3
40.7
35.7
45.3
47.0
42.8
40.8
37.9
34.9
44.2
45.5
6.9
6.7
6.9
6.3
7.2
6.2
6.5
6.3
6.5
6.1
6.9
5.9
17.7
18.0
18.4
16.9
15.3
16.6
77.3
77.1
76.1
78.5
80.5
78.6
30.0
30.2
30.4
30.4
30.5
30.7
28.4
28.5
28.8
28.8
29.1
29.3
43.2
43.2
43.4
43.2
43.9
44.4
39.1
38.9
39.3
39.5
40.0
40.5
10.3
10.2
10.4
10.4
10.7
10.9
Women’s Charter
Administration of
Muslim Law Act
2020
2021
2022
2020
2021
2022
17,124
22,101
23,379
5,527
6,228
6,010
15.3
13.3
15.0
22.0
22.4
22.8
80.9
82.8
81.0
71.1
72.4
69.5
31.0
31.0
31.2
28.3
28.4
28.5
29.3
29.5
29.8
26.7
26.9
26.8
5,110
5,907
5,417
1,598
1,767
1,505
251
216
185
na
na
na
15.7
16.5
17.4
23.0
25.2
24.9
44.0
44.8
45.3
39.6
40.4
40.6
40.2
40.7
41.1
37.0
37.5
38.0
11.0
11.6
11.8
8.1
8.1
8.1
Marriage Cohort
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
16.0
15.8
15.0
14.7
14.9
14.5
14.5
14.4
13.5
13.5
13.9
13.8
23.3
22.5
21.9
20.7
19.3
17.6
* Data on inter-ethnic marriages/divorces have been updated in 2023 to include only marriages/divorces where both parties are
of different CMIO group
^ Data are based on local marriage and dissolution records up till 2021.
Note: Longer time series for the indicators can be downloaded here.
Total Marriages & Divorces
Divorces & Annulments
Marriages
Dissolution of Marriages
among Marriage Cohorts
^
Part 1
Marriage Trends
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► 3
PART 1 MARRIAGE TRENDS
Record Number of Marriages Registered in 2022
The total number of civil and Muslim marriages
1
registered in 2022 rose to
a record high of 29,389
2
, 3.7 per cent higher than the 28,329 marriages registered in
the year before (Figure 1.1). This is the second consecutive increase since 2020 when
the number dipped to 22,651 as marriage plans for some were disrupted due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. There was a rise in the number of civil marriages from 22,101
in 2021 to 23,379 in 2022, while Muslim marriages had fallen from 6,228 to 6,010 over
the same period.
Partly contributed by the dip in the number of marriages in 2020 due to the
pandemic, the annual average number of marriages registered in the last five years
was 26,562, lower than the annual average of 27,833 for the preceding five years
between 2013 and 2017.
Figure 1.1 Marriages Registered
1
Civil marriages refer to marriages registered under the Women’s Charter while Muslim marriages refer to marriages registered
under the Administration of Muslim Law Act. The analysis on marriages excludes re-registered marriages (i.e. civil marriages
which were contracted overseas or under religious & customary rites and were subsequently registered in Singapore in the
reference year). In 2022, there were 113 re-registered marriages.
2
This is the highest since data on total marriages registered in Singapore (comprising civil and Muslim marriages) were first
compiled and published in 1961. The previous record high was in 2014 with 28,407 marriage registrations.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
('000)
Women's Charter Administration of Muslim Law Act
Annual Average
Between 2013-2017:
27,833
Annual Average
Between 2018-2022:
26,562
4 ◄ Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 Singapore Department of Statistics
Higher General Marriage Rates for Males and Females
With the rise in number of marriages, the general marriage rates for both
males and females increased in 2022 (Figure 1.2). There were 47.0 marriages per
thousand unmarried males aged 15-49 years, up from 43.8 in 2012. Similarly, there
were 45.5 marriages per thousand unmarried females aged 15-49 years, up from 39.4
a decade ago. The general marriage rates in 2022 for both males and females were
among the highest in the recent two decades, second only to the highs of 47.5 for
males and 45.8 for females recorded in 2002.
Figure 1.2 General Marriage Rate
Compared with a decade ago, marriage rates for males in the peak age
group of 30-34 years rose in 2022 but fell for all other age groups (Figure 1.3). On the
other hand, there was a shift towards later marriages for females compared to 2012.
While marriage rates among females aged below 30 years declined, it rose for those
aged 30 years and over. The peak marriage age group for females in 2022 (30-34
years) was also older than that in 2012 (25-29 years).
Figure 1.3 Age-Sex-Specific Marriage Rate
47.5
43.8
45.3
47.0
45.8
39.4
44.2
45.5
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Males
Females
Per 1,000 Unmarried Resident
Males/Females Aged 15-49 Years
0
50
100
150
15 - 19 20 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 34 35 - 39 40 - 44 45 - 49
Age Group (Years)
2012
2022
Per 1,000
Unmarried Resident Females
0
50
100
150
15 - 19 20 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 34 35 - 39 40 - 44 45 - 49
Age Group (Years)
2012
2022
Per 1,000
Unmarried Resident Males
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► 5
Higher Proportion of First Marriages
78.6 per cent of all marriages in 2022 involved first-time grooms and first-
time brides, an increase from 74.9 per cent a decade ago (Figure 1.4). The increase
was observed among civil marriages, where the proportion of first marriages remained
higher than Muslim marriages. The proportion of first marriages among Muslim
marriages was similar compared to a decade ago.
Figure 1.4 Marriages by Marriage Order of Couple
Note: Proportions may not add up to 100 per cent due to rounding.
Remarriages remained slightly more prevalent among grooms than brides.
In 2022, 15.4 per cent of grooms and 14.2 per cent of brides were re-marrying, of
which the majority were previously divorced (Figure 1.5).
Figure 1.5 Marriages by Previous Marital Status of Grooms and Brides
Notes: 1) Previous marital status refers to a person’s marital status prior to the current marriage.
2) Proportions may not add up to 100 per cent due to rounding.
74.9
78.6
76.0
81.0
69.7
69.5
17.5
13.2
17.5
12.8
17.0
14.8
7.6
8.2
6.5
6.2
13.2
15.7
2012 2022 2012 2022 2012 2022
Per Cent
First marriage, both partners Remarriage, one partner Remarrriage, both partners
Total
Women's Charter
Administration of
Muslim Law Act
6 ◄ Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 Singapore Department of Statistics
Median Age at First Marriage Continued to Rise
The median age at first marriage for grooms and brides were 30.7 years
and 29.3 years respectively in 2022, up from 30.1 years for grooms and 28.0 years for
brides a decade ago (Figure 1.6). This points to a continuing trend towards later
marriages.
Following declines in 2020 and 2021, the median age at remarriage for both
grooms and brides rose to 44.6 years and 39.3 years respectively in 2022. This was
higher than the 42.1 years and 36.4 years for grooms and brides respectively in 2012.
Figure 1.6 Median Age at Marriage
Couples who were of the same age or aged one year apart accounted for
44.2 per cent of first marriages in 2022, higher than the 36.0 per cent a decade ago
(Figure 1.7). Over the same period, the proportion of grooms who were at least two
years older had decreased from 54.0 per cent to 45.9 per cent in 2022. The proportion
of brides who were at least 2 years older remained stable at 9.9 per cent in 2022.
Figure 1.7 Age Differential at First Marriage for Couples
28.7
30.1
30.5
30.7
26.2
28.0
29.1
29.3
40.2
42.1
44.2
42.4
44.6
34.5
36.4
38.3
37.6
39.3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Age (Years)
Grooms, First Marriage Brides, First Marriage
Grooms, Re-Marriage Brides, Re-Marriage
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
18.0
20.0
>-10
-10
-9
-8
-7
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
>25
Per Cent
Age Difference (Years)
2012
2022
Groom Older than Bride
by At Least 2 Years
2022: 45.9
Per Cent
2012: 54.0 Per Cent
Groom Younger than
Bride by At Least 2
Years
2022: 9.9 Per Cent
2012: 9.9 Per Cent
Groom and Bride Within
One Year Apart in Age
2022: 44.2
Per Cent
2012: 36.0 Per Cent
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► 7
Among total marriages, median age at first marriage rose across all
educational groups between 2012 and 2022 except for grooms with secondary and
below qualification where it remained unchanged (Figure 1.8). Those with university
qualification married the latest in 2022, with median ages of 31.2 years for first-time
grooms and 29.7 years for first-time brides.
The median age at first marriage for Muslim grooms and brides were lower
than their counterparts under the Women’s Charter for all educational qualifications.
Figure 1.8 Median Age at First Marriage by Educational Qualification
* Post-Secondary comprises Post-Secondary (Non-Tertiary), Diploma and Professional Qualification.
Years
Years
Grooms
Brides
Total
Years
Years
Grooms
Brides
Women's Charter
Grooms
Years
Years
Brides
Administration of Muslim Law Act
24.5
25.8
27.3
25.4
26.3
28.1
Secondary
& Below
Post-Secondary* University
2022
32.0
30.1
30.6
31.7
30.9
31.3
Secondary
& Below
Post-Secondary* University
27.3
27.7
28.7
29.7
29.3
29.9
Secondary
& Below
Post-Secondary* University
30.8
29.3
30.5
30.8
29.8
31.2
Secondary
& Below
Post-Secondary* University
26.7
27.0
28.6
28.7
28.1
29.7
Secondary
& Below
Post-Secondary* University
28.0 28.0
28.9
28.8
28.0
29.6
Secondary
& Below
Post-Secondary* University
2012
8 ◄ Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 Singapore Department of Statistics
Proportion of Inter-ethnic Marriages Remained Stable
The proportion of inter-ethnic marriages in 2022 was 16.6 per cent. This
proportion has remained largely stable in the last ten years, hovering between 15 – 18
per cent (Figure 1.9). The proportion of inter-ethnic marriages has also hovered
between a narrow band for both civil (between 13 – 17 per cent) and Muslim marriages
(between 22 – 24 per cent) in the last decade.
Figure 1.9 Proportion of Inter-ethnic Marriages
Note: Data on inter-ethnic marriages have been updated in 2023 to include only marriages where both parties are of different
CMIO group.
Out of the 3,506 inter-ethnic civil marriages in 2022, marriages between
Chinese grooms and brides of “Others” ethnic group accounted for 48.0 per cent,
followed by marriages between “Others” grooms and Chinese brides at 23.6 per cent
(Figure 1.10). As for the 1,368 inter-ethnic Muslim marriages, those between Indian
grooms and Malay brides, as well as those between Malay grooms and Chinese brides
accounted for the largest shares at 26.3 per cent and 16.4 per cent respectively in
2022.
Figure 1.10 Top 5 Ethnic Group Combinations among Inter-ethnic Marriages, 2022
Women’s Charter
Administration of Muslim Law Act
Ethnic Group of
Groom
Ethnic Group of
Bride
Per Cent
Ethnic Group of
Groom
Ethnic Group of
Bride
Per Cent
Chinese
“Others”
48.0
Indians
Malays
26.3
“Others”
Chinese
23.6
Malays
Chinese
16.4
Indians
Chinese
7.9
Malays
Indian
15.7
Indians
“Others”
6.5
Malays
“Others”
11.2
Chinese
Malays
3.1
Chinese
Malays
11.2
Note: “Others” refers to all ethnic groups besides Chinese, Malays and Indians.
11.5
17.7
15.3
16.6
8.8
16.6
13.3
15.0
23.8
22.8
22.4
22.8
0
10
20
30
40
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Per Cent
Total Women's Charter Administration of Muslim Law Act
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► 9
Proportion of Minor Marriages Remained Low
The proportion of minor marriages (i.e. marriages involving at least one
minor aged below 21 years) remained low in 2022. It fell from 2.5 per cent to 0.9 per
cent over the last decade (Figure 1.11). While the decline was observed among both
civil and Muslim marriages, the proportion of minor marriages continued to be higher
among Muslim marriages than civil marriages.
In 2022, 1.0 per cent of Muslim grooms and 2.6 per cent of Muslim brides
were minors, compared to 0.1 per cent of grooms and 0.3 per cent of brides under the
Women’s Charter.
Figure 1.11 Marriages of Minors Aged Below 21 Years
2.5
1.8
5.8
0.9
0.4
2.8
Total Women's
Charter
Administration
of Muslim Law
Act
Minor Marriages
0.6
0.4
1.7
0.3
0.1
1.0
Total Women's
Charter
Administration
of Muslim Law
Act
Minor Grooms
Per Cent
2.4
1.7
5.5
0.8
0.3
2.6
Total Women's
Charter
Administration
of Muslim Law
Act
2012 2022
Minor Brides
Per Cent
Per Cent
Part 2
Divorce and Annulment
Trends
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► 13
PART 2 DIVORCE AND ANNULMENT TRENDS
Number of Marital Dissolutions in 2022 Declined
A total of 7,107 marriages ended in a divorce or an annulment in 2022, a
decrease of 9.9 per cent from the 7,890 marital dissolutions in the previous year
3
(Figure 2.1). Between 2018 and 2022, the annual average number of marital
dissolutions was 7,385, lower than the annual average of 7,509 in the preceding five-
year period.
The number of civil marital dissolutions fell from 6,123 in 2021 to 5,602 in
2022. The number of Muslim divorces fell from 1,767 to 1,505 over the same period,
partly due to the closure of court services from 18 November to 4 December 2022 at
the Syariah Court, as they prepared for the implementation of new Divorce E-Services.
Figure 2.1 Marital Dissolutions
3
The higher number of marital dissolutions in 2021 relative to other years arose due to more divorce applications filed as well as
the resumption of divorce proceedings that were previously adjourned, following the easing of COVID-19 safe management
measures.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
('000)
Women's Charter Administration of Muslim Law Act
Annual Average
Between 2013-2017:
7,509
Annual Average
Between 2018-2022:
7,385
14 ◄ Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 Singapore Department of Statistics
Lower General Divorce Rates for Males and Females
In tandem with the decline in number of marital dissolutions, the general
divorce rates fell for both males and females in 2022. There were 6.2 marital
dissolutions for every thousand married males aged 20 years and over, a decline from
7.1 in 2012 (Figure 2.2). Likewise, there were 5.9 marital dissolutions for every
thousand married females aged 20 years and over, down from 6.7 a decade ago.
Figure 2.2 General Divorce Rate
Although marital dissolutions continued to be more prevalent among the
younger age groups, the differences across age groups have noticeably narrowed
over the past decade as divorce rates fell for married persons aged below 40 years
and rose for those aged 45 years and over (Figure 2.3).
Figure 2.3 Age-Sex-Specific Divorce Rates
7.1
7.2
6.2
6.7
6.9
5.9
0
2
4
6
8
10
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Males
Females
Per 1,000 Married Resident
Males/Females Aged 20 Years & Over
0
10
20
30
40
20 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 34 35 - 39 40 - 44 45 - 49 50 &
Over
Age Group (Years)
2012
2022
Per 1,000
Married Resident Males
0
10
20
30
40
20 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 34 35 - 39 40 - 44 45 - 49 50 &
Over
Age Group (Years)
2012
2022
Per 1,000
Married Resident Females
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► 15
Median Age at Divorce Rose Over the Last Ten Years
The median age at divorce rose over the last ten years, from 41.6 years in
2012 to 44.4 years in 2022 for male divorcees, and from 38.0 years to 40.5 years for
female divorcees (Figure 2.4). This was due to an increase in the proportion of
divorcees aged 45 years and over and a decrease in the proportion of divorcees aged
below 35 years.
Figure 2.4 Divorces by Age Group and Sex
Notes: 1) Data exclude annulments.
2) Proportions may not add up to 100 per cent due to rounding.
38.8
48.0
40.3
51.0
34.0
37.5
38.4
33.5
39.6
33.6
34.0
33.3
21.8
18.0
19.6
15.2
28.9
28.0
1.1
0.4
0.5
0.2
3.1
1.2
2012 2022 2012 2022 2012 2022
Per Cent
Total
Women's Charter
Administration of
Muslim Law Act
Males
25.4
35.2
25.7
37.0
24.3
29.1
37.1
36.3
39.1
37.5
30.3
32.0
33.9
26.9
32.8
24.7
37.8
35.0
3.6
1.5
2.4
0.8
7.6
4.0
2012 2022 2012 2022 2012 2022
Per Cent
Total
Women's Charter
Administration of
Muslim Law Act
Females
Median Age
(Years)
41.6
44.4
42.0
45.3
40.3
40.6
Median Age
(Years)
38.0
40.5
38.4
41.1
36.6
38.0
16 ◄ Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 Singapore Department of Statistics
Longer Median Duration of Marriage in 2022
Among total divorces in 2022, the median duration of marriage was 10.9
years, longer than 10.3 years in 2012 (Figure 2.5). Marriage duration is generally
longer for civil divorces as compared to Muslim divorces, and that gap has been
growing since 2018. The median marriage duration was 11.8 years for civil divorces
and 8.1 years for Muslim divorces in 2022.
Figure 2.5 Median Marriage Duration
Note: Data exclude annulments.
Couples who were married for 5 to 9 years accounted for the largest share
of both civil and Muslim divorces in 2022 at 27.8 per cent and 30.2 per cent
respectively (Figure 2.6). This was followed by those with marriage duration of 10 –
14 years for civil divorces (19.5 per cent) and less than 5 years for Muslim divorces
(29.2 per cent).
Figure 2.6 Divorces by Duration of Marriage
Notes: 1) Data exclude annulments.
2) Proportions may not add up to 100 per cent due to rounding.
9.6
10.3
10.9
10.5
10.9
11.8
8.1
8.6
8.1
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Duration (Years)
Total Women's Charter Administration of Muslim Law Act
17.5
28.3
18.4
12.3
8.7
6.3
8.4
18.4
30.2
18.2
12.5
8.8
5.5
6.4
Under
5
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30 &
Over
Total Divorces
29.2
30.2
14.5
10.2
7.2
3.9
5.0
28.2
27.9
15.2
12.8
7.5
4.4
4.0
Under
5
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30 &
Over
Administration of
Muslim Law Act
2012
2022
14.3
27.8
19.5
12.9
9.2
6.9
9.4
15.5
30.9
19.1
12.4
9.2
5.8
7.1
Under
5
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30 &
Over
Women's
Charter
Per Cent
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► 17
Top Main Reasons for Divorce Unchanged from a Decade Ago
Similar to a decade ago, majority of civil divorces in 2022 were filed by wives
although the proportion had declined slightly to 63.1 per cent, from 64.4 per cent in
2012 (Figure 2.7).
The top main reasons for divorce cited by female and male plantiffs also
remained unchanged compared with 2012. For females, it was the “Unreasonable
behaviour” of spouse (58.1 per cent in 2022), while for males, it was having “Lived
apart or separated for three years or more” (52.9 per cent).
Figure 2.7 Top Two Main Reasons for Divorces under the Women’s Charter by Plaintiff
Note: Data exclude annulments.
Likewise for Muslim divorces in 2022, majority were filed by wives at 71.8
per cent. This was higher than the 69.8 per cent in 2012 (Figure 2.8).
“Infidelity or extra-marital affair” was the top main cause of divorce cited by
both male (18.6 per cent) and female plaintiffs (19.3 per cent) in 2022. This was
followed by “Desertion” for husbands (9.9 per cent) and “Financial Problems” for wives
(13.8 per cent).
Figure 2.8 Top Four Main Reasons for Divorces under the Administration of
Muslim Law Act by Plaintiff
Total (Number)
Proportion of Civil Divorces (%)
Unreasonable Behavior
49.9 53.0 38.2 44.4 56.3 58.1
Live Apart/Separated for
46.5 45.2 56.5 52.9 41.0 40.6
Three Years or More
3,416
Main Reason for Divorce
Total
Husband
Wife
2012
2022
2012
2022
2012
2022
5,306
5,417
1,891
2,001
3,415
Total (Number)
Infidelity/Extra-Marital Affair 24.8 19.1 27.3 18.6 23.8 19.3
Financial Problems 19.5 11.7 14.6 6.4 21.7 13.8
Domestic Violence and Abuses 12.1 11.1 6.0 5.2 14.7 13.4
Desertion 11.6 8.4 12.7 9.9 11.1 7.8
Proportion of Muslim Divorces (%)
1,587
1,505
480
424
1,107
1,081
Main Reason for Divorce
Total
Husband
Wife
2012
2022
2012
2022
2012
2022
18 ◄ Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 Singapore Department of Statistics
Annulment of Marriages Continued to Decline
The number of annulments under the Women’s Charter has been on a
downward trend since 2016, with 185 couples annulling their marriages in 2022
(Figure 2.9). The median duration of marriages that ended in annulment in 2022 was
1.9 years, down from 2.1 years the year before.
Figure 2.9 Annulments and Median Duration of Marriage Annulled
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Years
Number
Annulments Median Duration of Marriage Annulled
Part 3
Dissolution of Marriages
Among Marriage Cohorts
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► 21
PART 3 DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGES AMONG MARRIAGE
COHORTS
Parts 1 and 2 of this report presented period data that describe marriages
and dissolutions that occurred between January and December each year. On the
other hand, Part 3 of this report presents cohort data that reflect dissolutions that occur
to each specific marriage cohort at various reference periods. An illustration is shown
in Figure 3.1.
Figure 3.1 Differences between Period and Cohort Data for Dissolution of Marriages
Period Data
Cohort Data
Divorces or annulments registered in 2021,
regardless when the couples were married
Divorces or annulments which occurred by
end-2021 among couples who had
registered their marriage in 2011
By tapping on the rich administrative data sources in Singapore’s vital
statistics system, couples in each resident marriage cohort
4
are tracked longitudinally
to derive their marriage cohort dissolution rates, i.e. the cumulative proportion of
marriages that had dissolved locally for each marriage cohort.
The cohort analysis provides insights on the trends in stability of marriages
by marriage cohorts and their profiles. It complements the marriage and divorce period
indicators in Parts 1 and 2 of this report, giving a more comprehensive picture on the
proportion of marriages ending in divorce or annulment.
4
Resident marriage cohorts refer to marriages contracted in a particular year between persons where either or both are Singapore
citizens or permanent residents. Data on marriage cohort dissolution rates in this report are based on local marriage and
dissolution records up till 2021.
22 ◄ Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 Singapore Department of Statistics
Highest Proportion of Dissolved Marriages From 5
th
To Before 10
th
Anniversary
The proportion of marriages that dissolved was highest from the 5
th
to
before the 10
th
anniversary. As marriages progressed to the next marriage duration
milestone, the increases in dissolution rates at each subsequent 5-yearly interval were
smaller (Figure 3.2). For example, 6.4 per cent of the 2001 resident marriage cohort
had dissolved before the 5
th
anniversary. Another 9.6 per cent of this marriage cohort
ended their marriage before their 10
th
anniversary, bringing the total proportion
dissolved by then to 16.0 per cent. Subsequent increases were smaller, bringing the
total proportion dissolved among the 2001 marriage cohort to 21.1 per cent and 24.3
per cent before the 15
th
and 20
th
anniversaries respectively.
Figure 3.2 Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Marriages Before 5th, 10th, 15th,
20th and 25th Anniversary
23.4
24.3
21.1
21.1
16.0
14.5
6.4
6.1
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 25th Anniversary
Before 20th Anniversary
Before 15th Anniversary
Before 10th Anniversary
Before 5th Anniversary
Marriage Cohort
Per Cent
Marriages dissolved from 5th
to before 10th anniversary
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► 23
Falling Dissolution Rates Before 10
th
Anniversary Among More Recent
Marriage Cohorts
Dissolution rates before the 10
th
anniversary fell among resident marriage
cohorts after 2005 (Figure 3.3). The cumulative proportion of marriages that dissolved
before the 10
th
anniversary declined from 17.0 per cent for the 2005 marriage cohort
to 14.5 per cent for the 2011 marriage cohort. Similarly, the proportion who dissolved
their marriages before the 5
th
anniversary declined from 7.4 per cent to 6.1 per cent
for the 2005 and 2016 marriage cohorts respectively. Among the older marriage
cohorts prior to 2005, dissolution rates were generally on an upward trend.
While dissolution rates for Muslim marriages remained higher than that of
civil marriages across all cohorts, the proportion of dissolved Muslim marriages before
the 5
th
and 10
th
anniversaries for cohorts from 2005 onwards saw larger declines
compared to civil marriages, narrowing the gap between both groups for the recent
marriage cohorts.
Figure 3.3 Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Marriages by Marriage Type
7.4
6.1
6.3
5.5
12.9
8.2
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 5th Anniversary
Per Cent
17.0
14.5
15.3
13.8
24.8
17.6
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 10th Anniversary
Per Cent
21.1
19.3
29.7
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 15th Anniversary
Per Cent
24.3
21.9
34.6
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 20th Anniversary
Per Cent
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
24 ◄ Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 Singapore Department of Statistics
Higher Dissolution Rates Among Those Who Married at 20 – 24 Years Old
Across marriage cohorts, those involving males who married at ages 20 –
24 years saw notably higher proportion of dissolved marriages than those who married
at older ages (Figure 3.4). A similar trend was observed for females (Figure 3.5).
Dissolution rates among males and females who married later were closer across the
different age groups.
Figure 3.4 Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Marriages for Males by Age Group
at Marriage
12.3
6.0
5.2
6.2
5.5
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 5th Anniversary
Per Cent
30.0
13.2
12.0
13.8
15.0
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 10th Anniversary
Per Cent
38.4
19.6
18.0
19.3
20.6
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 15th Anniversary
Per Cent
41.6
23.9
19.9
20.0
18.2
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 20th Anniversary
Per Cent
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► 25
Figure 3.5 Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Marriages for Females by Age
Group at Marriage
11.0
5.3
4.7
4.9
5.4
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 5th Anniversary
Per Cent
23.5
12.5
11.4
11.9
12.3
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 10th Anniversary
Per Cent
29.6
17.1
16.5
20.7
18.0
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 15th Anniversary
Per Cent
32.1
19.3
17.7
17.7
17.7
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 20th Anniversary
Per Cent
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
26 ◄ Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 Singapore Department of Statistics
Highest Dissolution Rates Among Those with Secondary and Below Qualification
Across marriage cohorts, dissolution rates were the highest among males
and females with secondary and below qualification at point of marriage (Figures 3.6
and 3.7). Conversely, the proportion of dissolved resident marriages was the lowest
among those with university qualification.
Figure 3.6 Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Marriages for Males by Educational
Qualification at Marriage
9.8
6.9
3.8
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 5th Anniversary
Per Cent
22.9
15.5
8.2
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 10th Anniversary
Per Cent
29.2
22.2
11.5
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 15th Anniversary
Per Cent
30.8
22.4
13.6
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 20th Anniversary
Per Cent
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► 27
Figure 3.7 Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Marriages for Females by
Educational Qualification at Marriage
10.4
6.7
4.0
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 5th Anniversary
Per Cent
22.6
15.8
8.5
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 10th Anniversary
Per Cent
28.6
22.0
12.2
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 15th Anniversary
Per Cent
30.3
22.4
14.3
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 20th Anniversary
Per Cent
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
28 ◄ Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 Singapore Department of Statistics
Higher Dissolution Rates Among Remarriages
Couples who had both been married previously had the highest proportion
of dissolved marriages, followed by couples where one partner had previously been
married (Figure 3.8). Those who were marrying for the first time had the lowest
dissolution rates. Nevertheless, the difference in dissolution rates between first
marriages and remarriages for both partners had narrowed gradually, particularly from
the 2003 marriage cohort.
Figure 3.8 Cumulative Proportion of Dissolved Resident Marriages by Marriage Order of
Couple
5.5
8.0
8.2
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 5th Anniversary
Per Cent
13.0
18.2
19.4
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 10th Anniversary
Per Cent
19.3
25.7
28.4
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 15th Anniversary
Per Cent
23.1
28.0
32.0
0
10
20
30
40
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Before 20th Anniversary
Per Cent
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
Marriage Cohort
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► 29
SOURCE AND DATA COVERAGE
Statistics on Marriages
Statistics on marriages registered under the Women’s Charter are obtained
from records maintained by the Registry of Marriages. They include all civil marriages
solemnized by the Registrar of Marriages, pastors of churches, priests of Hindu
temples and other registered solemnizers. For Muslim marriages, statistics are
obtained from records of marriages registered under the Administration of Muslim Law
Act maintained by the Registry of Muslim Marriages.
Statistics on Divorces and Annulments
Statistics on divorces and annulments under the Women’s Charter are
obtained from records maintained by the Family Justice Courts.
For divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act, statistics are
obtained from the register of divorces kept by the Syariah Court. The records on
revocation of divorces are obtained from the Registry of Muslim Marriages.
In Part 2 of this report, with the exception of number of children under 18
and 21 years of divorcees which is based on the date of divorce filing (i.e. start of
divorce proceedings), all other time-related variables such as duration of marriage and
age of divorcees are based on the date when Interim Judgement was made final for
civil divorces, and date of registration for Muslim divorces (i.e. end of divorce
proceedings). Separations, whether by mutual agreements or otherwise and which do
not confer on the parties the right to re-marry, are not covered.
30 ◄ Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 Singapore Department of Statistics
SOURCE AND DATA COVERAGE (cont’d)
Dissolution of Marriages Among Marriage Cohorts
Statistics on dissolution of marriages among marriage cohorts are compiled
through statistical matching of marriage, divorce and annulment records.
The analysis on the cumulative proportion of dissolved marriages among
marriage cohorts is confined to resident marriages, which refer to marriages
contracted between persons where either or both are Singapore citizens or permanent
residents. Marriages contracted between two non-residents are excluded from the
analysis due to difficulty in tracking the marital outcome of these marriages over time.
For example, the identification documents used by non-residents to register their
marriages may not be unique. Non-resident couples may also leave Singapore to
return to their home country, making it difficult to track their marriage outcomes.
Residents who contracted their marriages overseas would not be covered
in the statistics due to the unavailability of data. Similarly, divorces or annulment of
marriages that were granted outside of Singapore are excluded in the compilation. If
a couple registers their marriage in Singapore but eventually divorces or annuls their
marriage in another country, the couple’s marriage will be considered intact in the
cohort statistics.
As the purpose of the cohort analysis is to track the marital outcome of
marriage cohorts over time, the size of each marriage cohort is kept constant
throughout the period of analysis. Hence, couples will not be removed from the
marriage cohorts even when they face circumstances such as death of spouse or
migration.
Singapore Department of Statistics Statistics on Marriages and Divorces, 2022 ► 31
GLOSSARY
Age-Specific Marriage Rate
The number of marriages registered within a specific age group during the year,
out of every thousand unmarried population in the same age group.
Age-Specific Divorce Rate
The number of divorces and annulments granted within a specific age group during
the year, out of every thousand married population in the same age group.
Annulments
Annulments granted under the Women’s Charter refer to invalidation of a marriage.
Parties whose marriages have been annulled are conferred the status of never having
been married to each other.
General Marriage Rate
The number of marriages registered among persons aged 15-49 years during the year,
out of every thousand unmarried population in the same age group.
General Divorce Rate
The number of divorces and annulments granted to married persons aged 20 years
and over during the year, out of every thousand married population in the same age
group.
PROJECT TEAM
Assistant Directors
Ms Joanne Tan
Ms Wong Mun Mun
Mr Jason Tan
Senior Manager
Mr Wong Kwok Wing
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