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Twenty years of marriages
1Health Statistics Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa.
Health Reports
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Canadian marriage rates show a long-term decline since the 1970s, with slight fluctuations. Average ages for marriage are increasing, while Quebec exhibits distinct marital patterns compared to the rest of Canada.
Area of Science:
- Demography
- Sociology
- Canadian Social Trends
Background:
- Canadian marriage rates have generally declined since the early 1970s, with a notable exception in the late 1980s.
- The crude marriage rate in Canada remained stable at 5.5 marriages per 1,000 population in 1994.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in Canadian marriage rates and patterns.
- To examine demographic shifts in marriage, including age and marital status.
- To compare marriage patterns between Quebec residents and other Canadians.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of marriage registration data compiled by Statistics Canada.
- Examination of crude marriage rates and rates disaggregated by prior marital status.
- Comparison of average ages of brides and grooms over time.
Main Results:
- The average age of brides and grooms has increased by approximately five years since 1974.
- Marriage rates peak in the twenties, with higher rates for women in this age group and for men at older ages.
- Quebec residents show a higher propensity for remaining single or cohabiting, with distinct remarriage patterns post-divorce or widowhood.
Conclusions:
- Despite a slight increase in marriages in 1994, the long-term trend indicates a decline in marriage rates.
- Age at marriage continues to rise, and significant age differences between partners are more common in older marriages.
- Regional variations, particularly in Quebec, highlight diverse approaches to marriage and partnership in Canada.