The marriage statistics for 2014 published by the Office for National Statistics (the most recent year the statistics are available), highlight that there has been a 2.7% increase in the number of marriages since 2013. There were 247,327 marriages recorded between opposite sex couples in 2014, and although this does provide an increase on the data collated in 2013, it also shows a decrease of more than 6% since 2012. 4,850 marriages occurred between same sex couples in 2014, with many couples converting their civil partnerships into marriages.
The statistics not only show a steady increase in the number of marriages but also that the average age of those couples choosing to marry has also increased.
‘In 2014 the average age for opposite sex couples marrying was 37 years for men, while for women it was 34.6 years. This represents a slight increase compared with 2013 (36.7 years for men and 34.3 years for women) and continues the overall rise recorded since the 1970s…’
The most significant percentage increase occurred amongst men and women aged 65 and over.
With people clearly opting to marry later in life, it is important to ensure that legal advice is obtained before taking the next steps towards marriage, particularly when assets have no doubt been accumulated before the relationship commenced, assets which a party may well wish to protect. If you wish to discuss how best to protect yourself and indeed your assets and wealth before marrying then do get in touch.
If you are interested in reviewing these statistics in more detail, then please visit https://goo.gl/Igi7FJ.