THE TELEGRAPH: The number of people getting married has fallen to its lowest level since records began in 1862.
For the first time ever fewer than 2 in 100 women, over the age of 16, got married in a single year. In 2008 the marriage rate for women fell from 2 per cent to 1.96 per cent, less than half the rate 25 years ago.
The rate for men has shown a similar decline, according to the annual figures published by the Office for National Statistics.
The figures highlight how marriage has substantially fallen out of favour. From a peak in 1940, when 426,1000 young couples – spurred on by the urgency of World War II – married for the first time, just 147,130 marriages in 2008 were where both partners were getting wed for the first time.
In total, just 228,204 marriages took place during 2008 in England and Wales. >>> Harry Wallop, Consumer Affairs Editor | Thursday, February 11, 2010
