“Couples Marrying Later, Divorce Rates Up 0.2% in Singapore for 2023 “

The trend of later marriages continues in Singapore, with the latest figures showing a slight increase of 0.2% in divorces for 2023. According to a recent report by the Department of Statistics (DOS) on the SingStat website, there was a slight decrease in marriage registrations compared to 2022, which saw a record 29,389 registered marriages.

Fewer Marriages Registered
In 2023, marriage registrations declined by 3.7% from the previous year, totaling 28,310 civil and Muslim marriages. This figure aligns with pre-pandemic marriage levels. The median age for marriage has also steadily increased over the past decade. In 2023, men’s median marriage age was 31, compared to 30.2 in 2013, while women’s was 29.5, up from 28.1 in 2013.

Divorces on the Rise
Divorce and annulment cases inched up to 7,118 in 2023 from 7,107 in 2022. The median duration of marriage at the time of divorce was 11.1 years. Civil divorces most commonly cited “unreasonable behavior” and “separation for three years or more” as top reasons, while Muslim divorces frequently noted “infidelity” as a primary cause. The dissolution rate was particularly high for marriages between five to ten years.

Dissolution Trends
The dissolution rates also varied by age, education, and prior marital history. Couples who married between 20 to 24 years of age or had only secondary qualifications experienced higher dissolution rates than those who married later or held university degrees.

MSF Response
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) noted that, despite a slight dip in marriages, the overall trend remains stable. MSF highlighted that recent marriage cohorts from 2006 to 2012 show improved stability, with lower dissolution rates before the 10th anniversary, particularly among Muslim marriages.

These insights reflect both shifts in societal trends toward later marriages and the continued emphasis on marital stability among recent couples.