SINGAPORE: The number of marriages registered in Singapore in 2024 fell by 7 per cent compared to the previous year, according to a report released by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) on 7 July 2025.
A total of 26,328 marriages were recorded last year, down from 28,310 in 2023, based on data from the Department of Statistics (SingStat) featured in MSF’s latest family trends report.
The drop was most notable among civil marriages, which declined across nearly all age groups. The steepest falls were seen among those aged 25 to 34.
In 2024, 15,213 brides in this age bracket were married, an 8.9 per cent decline from 16,707 the previous year.
Similarly, 13,615 grooms aged 25 to 34 tied the knot, down 9 per cent from 14,956 in 2023.
Out of the total marriages, 21,144 were civil unions, compared to 22,914 in 2023.
Muslim marriages also dipped slightly, from 5,396 in 2023 to 5,184 in 2024.
This decline was attributed to fewer unions involving grooms aged 30 to 34 and 45 and above, and brides aged 30 to 34 and 40 to 44.
The overall trend aligns with the increasing median age at first marriage over the past decade.
In 2014, the median age for first marriages was 30.2 years for grooms and 28.2 years for brides. By 2024, these figures had risen to 31.1 and 29.6 years respectively.
Divorce and annulment cases see a slight rise
There was also a modest increase in the number of divorces and annulments.
In 2024, 7,382 marriages ended in dissolution, a 3.7 per cent rise from 7,118 in 2023, SingStat reported.
The median age at divorce increased to 44.4 years for men and 40.9 years for women, up from 42.6 and 38.4 years respectively in 2014.
Marriages ending in divorce lasted a median of 11.1 years in 2024, compared to 10.4 years a decade earlier.
Couples married for five to nine years accounted for the highest share of divorces, comprising 29 per cent in 2024.
Marriage stability improving among recent cohorts
Despite the increase in annual divorces, long-term marriage stability has improved.
MSF highlighted that the cumulative proportion of divorces before the 10th wedding anniversary declined from 17 per cent for couples married in 2005 to 14.4 per cent for those married in 2013.
“This signifies greater marriage stability among recent cohorts of married couples,” the ministry stated.
The largest improvement was noted in Muslim marriages. Although divorce rates among Muslims remain higher than those of civil unions, the gap has significantly narrowed over the years.
Later parenthood and persistently low fertility rate
Singaporeans are also delaying parenthood.
In 2024, the median age of first-time fathers rose to 33.6 years, up from 32.9 in 2014.
For first-time mothers, the median age increased from 30.4 to 31.9 over the same period.
Despite these shifts, the country’s total fertility rate remained at a historic low of 0.97 in 2024 — its second consecutive year below the replacement rate of 1.0.
Growing uptake of paternity leave and infant care facilities
The uptake of government-paid paternity leave has risen gradually.
In 2023, 56 per cent of eligible fathers took paternity leave, compared to 53 per cent the previous year.
Maternity leave uptake has remained high, with 74 per cent of mothers making use of it in both 2022 and 2023.
To support working parents, full-day infant care places have nearly tripled over the past decade.
According to data from the Early Childhood Development Agency, available spots grew from 5,628 in 2014 to 16,207 in 2024. Enrolment also increased from 3,506 to 11,265.
Full-day childcare places similarly expanded from 104,066 in 2014 to 200,847 in 2024.
More elderly living alone despite strong family support values
Singapore’s ageing population continues to grow.
The number of residents aged 65 and above living at home increased from 466,300 in 2014 to 767,900 in 2024.
While 80 per cent still live with a spouse or children, the number living alone doubled over the past decade — from 42,100 in 2014 to 87,200 in 2024.
A 2023 MSF survey showed that more than 80 per cent of respondents considered family the top source of support for elderly relatives.
Additionally, 90.4 per cent of respondents agreed on the importance of maintaining close ties between grandparents and grandchildren.
“This shows that family members continue to be the key line of support for elderly,” MSF said.
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