The rate of marriages and divorces shows an increase in Singapore after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Many more couples married in Singapore last year after the easing of protocols; the divorce rate also increased.
In this article, you’ll read:
- Rate of Marriages and Divorces Increased After Easing of COVID-19 Protocols
- Can Divorce Be a Good Thing?
Rate of Marriages and Divorces Increased After Easing of COVID-19 Protocols
Both the rate of marriages and divorces in the country showed an increase as soon as COVID-19 protocols eased. This is all according to the latest data that the Department of Statistics in Singapore released on Wednesday (July 6).
More couples got married in 2021 compared to the previous year’s fall. They then decided to continue pursuing their disrupted marriage plans due to the surge of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Meanwhile, the number of divorces or marital dissolutions went up as well. It was primarily because divorce proceedings resumed after all the trouble caused by the pandemic.
Marriages Rate Increased
In 2021, a total of 28,329 couples registered for marriage in Singapore. The data shows a 25.1% increase in the 22,651 marriages in 2020. It was when the whole world was still under the surge of COVID-19, and other restrictions were in place.
The general marriage rate for men and women increased compared to the data a decade ago. According to statistics, about 45.3 marriages per thousand unmarried males aged 15 to 49 years old in 2021. The number is higher compared to 43.5 in 2011.
Likewise, there were 44.2 marriages per thousand unmarried females ages 15 to 49 in 2021. It depicts a higher rate compared to 39.2 recorded in 2011.
Additionally, the typical age at first marriage increased in 2021 compared to 2011. The data shows an increase from 30.1 years to 30.5 years for men and from 28.0 years to 29.1 years for women.
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Narrowing of Age Gaps Between Married Couples
Department of Statistics says that the age gap between couples in their first marriage narrowed. A year ago, 43.7% of couples in their first marriage were either of the same age or aged one year apart. It shows an increase when compared to 35.9% a decade ago.
In addition, the number of grooms who were at least two years old decreased over the same period. It went down from 54.5% in 2011 to 46.9% in 2021.
Meanwhile, the proportion of brides at least two years older was 9.4 last year, similar to the data a decade ago.
Increase Rate in Divorces and Marriages
On the same note, the divorce rate in Singapore has also increased. Data shows that there was 7,890 marital dissolution in 2021. An increase of 13.4% showed from the 6,959 marital dissolutions or divorces in 2020. This further shows that the rate of marriages and divorces depicted an increase in recent years.
According to the Singapore Department of Statistics, “The increase was due to more divorce applications filed in 2021, and the resumption of divorce proceedings that were previously adjourned, following the easing of safe management measures.”
Unlike marriages, the general divorce rates were lower compared to the data a decade ago.
According to statistics, there were about 7.2 male divorces for every thousand married men aged above 20 in 2021. The number decreased when compared to 76 in 2011.
Similarly, there were 6.9 female divorcees for every thousand married women aged 20 and over in 2021. It is much lower compared to 7.2 a decade ago.
In addition, the median age of divorce increased over the same period. It went up from 41.3 years to 43.9 years for male divorcees. Meanwhile, divorce has risen from 37.7 years to 40 years for female divorcees.
The typical marriage length for divorcing couples was 10.7 years in 2021, which is a tad lengthier than the 10.5 years in 2011.
Meanwhile, data shows that couples who stay in a marriage for 5 to 9 years before divorcing make up the largest share. It will be about 29.8% of all divorces in 2021.
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Can Divorce Be a Good Thing?
Filing for a divorce can never be an easy decision to make. The word divorce has always had a negative connotation that comes with it. Because of this, divorcees often advise couples to assess their relationship before marriage or divorce.
When people hear the word divorce, many negative thoughts usually cloud their heads. It is glued to the thoughts like battles in the courtroom, emotional meltdowns, and the painful process of separation.
While it is a horrible nightmare for many, would you believe it could also benefit others? Divorce could be suitable for those families who are in toxic relationships. In reality, divorce could be a solution that makes sense when a marriage leads to high levels of stress and unhappiness.
Here are 7 reasons why divorce also is a good thing for some marriages:
- An abusive or toxic relationship
- You were not meant for each other
- One partner refuses to get help with any mental issues
- It can recover dreams they had to put on hold because of your marriage
- Ease in financial difficulties
- A positive impact on your health and well-being
- Children will no longer have to suffer from their parents’ toxic relationship