Duration of marriages increasing and Divorce rate decreasing

On 27 November 2020, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released the most recent figures in relation to marriage and divorce in Australia.

The statistics show:

• The rate of marriage is continuing to decline: from a rate of 6 marriages per 1,000 head of population in 1999 to 4.5 in 2019.
• The divorce rate is declining: from 2.8 divorces per 1,000 head of population in 1999 to 1.9 in 2019.
• The duration of marriages is increasing: from 7.9 years to separation in 1999 to 8.5 years in 2019.