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For more information on this release:
E-mail: vitalstats@cso.ie Carolanne Hennessy (+353) 21 453 5307 Marie Crowley (+353) 21 453 5016 Paula Scully (+353) 21 453 5792
For general information on CSO statistics:
information@cso.ie (+353) 21 453 5000 On-line ISSN 2009-6712
CSO statistical release, , 11am

Marriages and Civil Partnerships

2012

 20122011
Marriages20,71319,855
Marriages per 1,000 population4.54.3
Average Age of Groom34.734.6
Average Age of Bride32.632.5
Civil Marriages5,7975,768

The average age of bride and groom continues to rise

Figure 1 Average age of bride and groom, 1962 - 2012
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The average age of grooms in 2012 was 34.7 years, 0.1 years more than the average age in 2011.  In the past fifty years, the average age of grooms has decreased from 30.3 years in 1962 to a low of 26.2 years in 1977 and has increased to a high of 34.7 years in 2012.  A similar trend is evident for brides with the average age decreasing from 26.6 in 1962 to 24.0 in 1977 and has increased to a high of 32.6 in 2012.  See table 1 and fig 1.

The number of marriages registered in 2012 was 20,713 which equates to a crude marriage rate of 4.5 per 1,000 of the population.  This compares with a total of 19,855 marriages and a marriage rate of 4.3 per thousand of the population in 2011.  See table 1.

Of the 20,713 marriages registered in 2012, there were 13,497 Roman Catholic marriage ceremonies (65%), 5,797 Civil marriages (28%), 433 Church of Ireland ceremonies (2%) and the remaining 5% was made up of Presbyterian, Methodist, and other ceremonies.  See table 1 and fig 3.

  • August was the most popular month for marriage in 2012, when 15% (or 3,046) of marriages occurred.  Almost half of all marriages in 2012 took place in the months of June to September.  January continued to be the least popular month for marriage ceremonies with 449 (2%) of marriages occurring during that month.  See table 16.
  • Friday and Saturday were the most popular days of the week to get married with almost 71% of marriages occurring on those days.  The least popular day was Sunday when 220 couples wed (1% of total). See table 16. 
  • Saturday 4th August was the most popular date for marriage in 2012 with 262 (over 1%) marriages taking place. This was followed by Saturday 2nd June, when 246 (over 1%) marriages occurred.  
  • Cyprus had the highest crude marriage rate in the EU 27 with a rate of 7.3 per 1,000 population. Bulgaria had the lowest rate, with 2.9 marriages per 1,000 population.  Ireland, along with the United Kingdom was ranked 11th with a rate of 4.5 per 1,000 of the population.  Figures for some EU 27 countries (i.e. Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal and United Kingdom) average marriage rates for 2012 are not available at time of printing.  For these six countries the latest available rates are used.  See fig 2.

 

 

Euro Area'000 Persons
Cyprus7.3
Lithuania6.9
Malta6.1
Latvia5.5
Finland5.3
Poland5.3
Sweden5.3
Denmark5.1
Romania5.1
Greece4.9
Slovakia4.8
Germany4.7
Netherlands4.7
Austria4.6
Estonia4.6
Ireland4.5
United Kingdom4.5
Czech Republic4.3
France3.7
Belgium3.6
Hungary3.6
Spain3.5
Italy3.4
Luxembourg3.4
Portugal3.4
Slovenia3.4
Bulgaria2.9

Civil marriages account for 28% of all marriages

Civil marriages accounted for 28% of all marriages in 2012, 1 per cent less than the 29% recorded in 2011.  Of the 5,797 civil marriages in 2012, there were 3,997 (69%) where both the bride and groom were single.  See tables 1, 17 and fig 3.

In 2012, the average age of the groom in civil marriages was 37.9 years and the average age of the groom in Roman Catholic marriages was 33.2 years.  The average age of the bride in civil marriages was 35.0 years and the average age of the bride in Roman Catholic marriages was 31.4 years.  See table 3. 

In 2012, civil marriage ceremonies were the most common form of ceremony for grooms aged 45 and over (67%), and for brides aged 40 and over (62%).  See table 3.

At a NUTS3 regional level, 37% of grooms and brides in the Dublin region had civil marriages.  In contrast, 20% of grooms and brides living in the Border and West regions had civil marriages.  See tables 14 and 15. 

 

For long labels below use
to display on multiple lines
Marriages by ceremony 2012
Roman Catholic65.1619755708975
Church of Ireland2.0904745811809
Other religious4.76029546661517
Civil 27.9872543813064

Groom older than bride in 63% of marriages

The average age of grooms and brides in 2012 was 34.7 years and 32.6 years respectively.  The average age of grooms marrying for the first time was 33.3 years and for brides the average age was 31.7 years.  See tables 22 and 23.

The groom was older than the bride in almost 63% of marriages in 2012. This was generally witnessed across all age groups except in the case of grooms under 25 where the bride was older in 43% of marriages.  See tables 7 and 8.

In 2012, 3% of grooms were under the age of 25 and 35% of grooms were aged 35 and over on their wedding day.  For brides, nearly 6% were under the age of 25 and 24% were aged 35 and over on their wedding day.  See table 1.

At a local authority level, Monaghan had the lowest average age for grooms and brides at 33.1 and 30.7 years respectively.  At the other end of the scale, Wicklow had the highest average age for grooms at 36.5 years and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown had the highest average age for brides at 33.8 years.  See tables 9 and 10.

Over 88% of marriages were first time marriages

In 2012, 88% (18,286) of marriages were the first marriage for both the groom and bride.   The breakdown between grooms and brides was 19,019 (92%) grooms and 19,340 (93%) brides marrying for the first time.  See tables 17, 22 and 23.

There were 2,273 marriages involving at least one divorced person in 2012, including 493 marriages where both parties were divorced.  Civil ceremonies accounted for 1,741 of these marriages, 228 were Roman Catholic ceremonies, and the remaining 304 were other religious ceremonies.  See table 17.

Couples residing outside Ireland before marriage account for 9% of marriages

Marriages where both the bride and groom were residing in Ireland before marriage accounted for 89% (18,421) of marriages.  In 2012, 1,839 (9%) marriages involved both the bride and groom living outside the State before marriage.   See tables 11 and 12.

Over 91% of grooms residing in Dublin City married brides who were also residing in Dublin City.  In contrast, only 69% of Leitrim grooms married brides living in Leitrim.  In relation to brides, 90% of brides residing in Dublin City married grooms from the same area, while at the other end of the scale 74% of Longford brides married grooms residing in Longford.  See tables 11 and 12.

The future permanent residence of married couples was stated to be outside Ireland in 10% (2,065) of marriages in 2012.  This compares to 1,843 (9%) in 2011.  See table 1.

Almost one in five marriages were between brides and grooms of the same occupational group

In 2012, 23% (4,756) of all marriages involved the bride and groom being of the same occupational group.

Over half (55%) of grooms and two-fifths (40%) of brides in the Professional Occupations’ occupational group married an individual in the same group,  20% of grooms and 25% of brides in the ‘Associate professional and Technical Occupations’ married within their own group. 14% of grooms and 21% of brides in the Managers, Directors and Senior Officials’ category married persons in the same occupational group.  In the Unemployed, Retired, Student, Occupation unknown group 45% of grooms and 19% of brides married within their group.   

There was a greater disparity apparent for the following occupational groups – In the Caring, Leisure and Other services occupations only 2% of brides and 19% of grooms married a partner from this group, 3% of grooms in the ‘Process Plant and Machine Operatives’ category and in the ‘Skilled Trades Occupations’ category married within their own group.  For those in the Administrative and Secretarial Occupations’ 31% of grooms and 8% of brides married within the group.  In the ‘Sales and Customer Services group, 21% of grooms and 10% of brides married within the group and in the ‘Elementary Occupations’ group, 13% of grooms and 29% of brides married within the group.  See table 6 and background notes.

Number of divorces granted increased by nearly 3%

There were 2,892 divorces granted by the Circuit Court and the High Court in 2012.  This was an increase of 73 on the 2011 figure.

See Table A.

 

Civil Partnerships

 

Legislation

Civil Partnerships, introduced by the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010, enabled same-sex couples to obtain legal recognition of their relationship and this regulation was enacted on the 1st January 2011.

Over 69% of Civil Partnerships resident in Leinster

There were 429 civil partnership ceremonies in 2012, 263 male unions and 166 female unions.  Over 69% (298) of these same-sex couples reside in the Leinster area with 148 same-sex partnerships (34%) living in Dublin City and a further 19% residing in the greater Dublin area. Excluding the Dublin area, Cork County had the highest number of civil partnerships registered in 2012 (28) and accounted for nearly 7% of all civil partnerships registered in that year.  In contrast, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon or Sligo had no civil partnerships registered in 2012.  See Table 1A.

Previous Marital Status of partners in registered Civil Partnerships

Of the 858 individual partners, 794 or 93% were previously single while 60 (7%) were divorcees and 3 were former Civil Partners.  See Tables 2.A, 2B and 2C.

Average Age of Partner in Civil Partnership higher than in Marriages

The average age of partner in civil partnership couples is 41.6 Years, the average age of male partner being 41.1 (average age of groom in marriage is 34.7) and female partner slightly higher at 42.2 (average age of bride in marriage 32.6).  See Tables 2A, 2B and 2C.
 

Of all the male partnerships, nearly 37% indicate that there is a 1- 4 year difference in ages. Almost 49% of female partnerships indicate that there is 1-4 year age gap between couples.  Over 7% of males and nearly 8% of female partnerships show no age difference between partners.  See Table 6A.

Table 1 Summary data for marriages 1994-1996, 2002 and 2004-2012    
                
  199419951996 2002 200420052006200720082009201020112012
State 16,62115,60416,174 20,556 20,97921,35522,08922,75622,18721,62720,59419,85520,713
                 
Marriages per 1,000 population4.64.34.5 5.2 5.25.25.25.24.94.84.54.34.5
                 
Average age of groom29.830.030.2 32.5 33.033.133.233.433.834.034.134.634.7
                 
Average age of bride27.828.128.4 30.4 30.931.031.231.331.731.832.032.532.6
                 
Percentage of marriages by%%% % %%%%%%%%%
age of groom  
  Under 20 0.70.50.5 0.7 0.60.50.60.50.50.50.50.50.5
  20-24 14.912.810.8 5.4 4.54.84.74.03.03.33.02.32.5
  25-29 47.446.546.3 34.6 31.530.329.429.127.727.225.422.421.8
  30-34 24.327.329.0 34.9 36.637.037.037.537.536.838.339.739.8
  35-39 7.37.88.2 13.6 14.914.715.716.317.017.317.818.618.8
  Over 40 5.45.15.2 10.8 11.912.612.712.714.114.915.016.516.6
                 
Percentage of marriages by%%% % %%%%%%%%%
age of bride   
  Under 20 1.61.61.2 1.2 1.11.21.41.10.91.31.41.11.1
  20-24 27.323.721.6 11.7 9.59.68.67.86.87.25.74.94.7
  25-29 47.549.149.5 42.9 40.939.739.039.438.136.034.932.631.3
  30-34 16.718.819.9 28.3 31.531.532.132.433.633.836.237.638.7
  35-39 4.14.45.1 9.4 9.710.311.111.411.912.112.613.513.6
  Over 40 2.82.42.7 6.5 7.27.67.97.88.79.69.310.310.5
                 
Form of ceremony               
  Roman Catholic15,20014,15814,607 15,908 15,97815,86716,21116,85415,97814,62413,78113,15613,497
  Church of Ireland434425483 781 539553530526534447427448433
  Presbyterian 517691 112 127119161176160111896784
  Methodist 332538 40 211726203221271519
  Jewish 312 6 45215
  Other religious 502825 26 24323233184205279401883
  Civil marriages 850891928 3,683 4,2864,7625,1275,1465,2996,2145,9915,7685,797
                 
Country of future residence               
Outside Republic of Ireland2,6612,5022,604 2,293 2,0571,8901,9171,7981,9091,8351,7621,8432,065
  Northern Ireland235216271 256 281257346330367362289304318
  England and Wales1,4771,3381,295 1,119 1,047990932915981899810846925
  Scotland 606664 86 786784759586769264
  Europe (remainder)166203222 182 130129115113114124146139148
  U.S.A 509490570 480 353281248211165158164169176
  Elsewhere 214189182 170 168166192154187206277293434
Not stated   491211
                 
Percentage of marriages with %%% % %%%%%%%%%
country of residence outside  
Republic of Ireland16.016.016.1 11.2 9.98.98.77.98.68.58.69.310.0
                 
Table 2 Age specific marriage rates, 2009-2012    
          
AgeMarriages per 1,000 males at specified ages Marriages per 1,000 females at specified ages
2009201020112012 2009201020112012
All ages, 16-4917.617.216.617.7 18.117.416.917.8
          
16-190.90.90.90.9 2.32.51.92.2
          
201.81.91.72.3 5.03.73.13.9
212.42.61.82.6 5.75.03.54.8
223.53.12.62.4 7.05.65.55.5
234.54.83.84.8 9.27.97.57.5
247.86.45.66.5 14.812.312.112.6
          
20-244.13.93.13.7 8.67.16.47.0
          
2513.011.810.810.3 21.919.017.217.9
2621.318.915.216.4 30.930.225.626.9
2729.226.824.226.3 41.336.934.938.3
2837.736.533.537.3 47.144.743.145.2
2945.243.639.644.3 51.150.847.549.7
          
25-2929.628.125.427.7 38.636.734.436.5
          
3046.245.742.848.3 51.349.046.351.7
3150.247.846.547.7 48.146.845.546.0
3244.642.542.945.3 37.638.936.939.9
3338.438.738.539.9 31.831.532.034.1
3432.032.330.833.8 26.326.625.726.6
          
30-3442.341.540.543.1 39.338.937.639.9
          
3527.026.927.831.5 20.720.821.321.9
3622.523.422.322.7 16.517.217.417.4
3721.619.520.720.3 14.213.713.215.2
3818.017.716.917.6 11.810.411.412.0
3914.513.513.215.0 10.510.010.610.6
          
35-3920.820.320.321.5 14.814.514.815.5
          
4012.413.111.911.8 9.08.58.08.5
4110.710.810.59.9 7.35.76.46.7
429.09.28.69.1 6.66.06.05.6
437.17.67.09.0 5.04.55.04.7
447.26.46.27.0 4.44.84.94.0
          
40-449.39.58.99.4 6.55.96.16.0
          
456.05.26.46.4 4.23.64.34.0
465.34.45.05.3 3.13.03.74.2
475.04.55.14.5 3.72.93.03.2
484.24.14.74.6 3.12.43.13.3
494.13.54.24.1 3.12.72.62.8
          
45-494.94.35.15.0 3.52.93.43.5
          
Table 3 Marriages registered in 2012 classified according to age of groom/age of bride and form of ceremony
       
AgeForm of ceremony1Total
CatholicChurchPresbyterian Other religiousCivil Marriages
 of Ireland  denominations 
Age of groom      
Under 20901110102
20-2426912225208516
25-293,16095301441,0944,523
30-346,159179232861,5988,245
35-392,61969161821,0103,896
40-447863471126461,585
45-4924318162442766
50-54781145318452
55-5934222200258
60 and over5912523271370
Total13,497433849025,79720,713
       
Age of bride      
Under 201441488237
20-24464211045428968
25-294,817133321991,3046,485
30-345,841188233131,6518,016
35-391,62349101779682,827
40-4439317469512995
45-491151251364542
50-54552126256340
55-59131313138168
60 and over3291588135
Total13,497433849025,79720,713
       
Average age of groom33.235.034.737.137.934.7
       
Average age of bride31.432.532.034.635.032.6
       
1There is at present no provision for the civil registration of Muslim marriage ceremonies solemnised in the State. 
Table 4 Marriages registered in 2012 classified by occupational group and age of groom
             
Occupational group of groomAge of groomAverage age of groom
Under 2020-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445-4950-5455-5960 and overAll ages
Administrative and Secretarial occupations11018239516860131917987434.5
Associate professional and Technical occupations6376231,3236282301046325413,08034.7
Caring, Leisure and Other service occupations2666865246182081031437.4
Elementary occupations1179462643365174974020191,91034.4
Managers, Directors and Senior officials119292695400183857536551,84136.7
Process, Plant and Machine operatives113253434250141735929291,28236.6
Professional occupations199022,1619492971064945704,59834.5
Sales and Customer service occupations492112351012821125666832.7
Skilled trades occupations11991,2662,04188536722710258635,11934.4
Unemployed, Retired, Student, Occupation unknown691852662329859221315681,02732.8
             
Total1025164,5238,2453,8961,58576645225837020,71334.7
             
Table 5 Marriages registered in 2012 classified by occupational group and age of bride
             
Occupational group of brideAge of brideAverage age of bride
Under 2020-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445-4950-5455-5960 and overAll ages
Administrative and Secretarial occupations3751,0331,3204701471056033173,26333.1
Associate professional and Technical occupations14496591,10436110969409102,42433.0
Caring, Leisure and Other service occupations1115092872228011977482462,36532.2
Elementary occupations201322672151095339249287031.9
Managers, Directors and Senior officials12835349119184382320151,24433.9
Process, Plant and Machine operatives333392521733213635.8
Professional occupations602,0323,000847218826722236,35132.4
Sales and Customer service occupations101154734261486833231681,32032.0
Skilled trades occupations5147410866311384432734.3
Unemployed, Retired, Student, Occupation unknown173342633591330145794428482,41331.8
             
Total2379686,4858,0162,82799554234016813520,71332.6
             
Table 6 Marriages registered in 2012 classified by occupational group of bride and groom
 Occupational group of bride
Occupational group of groomAdministrative and Secretarial occupationsAssociate professional and Technical occupationsCaring, Leisure and Other service occupationsElementary occupationsManagers, Directors and Senior officialsProcess, Plant and Machine operativesProfessional occupationsSales and Customer service occupationsSkilled trades occupationsUnemployed, Retired, Student, Occupation unknownTotal
Administrative and Secretarial occupations273100752051525549739874
Associate professional and Technical occupations4796172845319315958176372683,080
Caring, Leisure and Other service occupations612559271317114439314
Elementary occupations3181123112508718248199383291,910
Managers, Directors and Senior officials291262170422596528101241581,841
Process, Plant and Machine operatives22393243736836213103202101,282
Professional occupations51664023532239172,526129372274,598
Sales and Customer service occupations1034787394241151371084668
Skilled trades occupations935449820248261321,2783581395995,119
Unemployed, Retired, Student, Occupation unknown6479818631215954114601,027
Total3,2632,4242,3658701,2441366,3511,3203272,41320,713
            
Table 7 Marriages registered in 2012 classified by groom's age and bride's relative age
Age of groomRelative age of brideTotal
10 or more years older5 to 9 years older1 to 4 years olderSame age1 to 4 years younger5 to 9 years younger10 or more years younger
All ages1677733,9872,7158,2963,5061,26920,713
16
17437
1811521744
1911572851
Under 202343135102
20115123361
2128171432174
22211181124167
23211462843130
2441575284616184
20-2410461719317818516
25133097509722309
26103715912616221515
27114930316530129858
289743712544816121,252
2917744653236317271,589
25-29602641,3959181,67220594,523
3015714333838039491,808
31966430312918144101,889
321164335236928202181,794
33531248197760254121,507
34922175108675239191,247
30-34492541,6211,2364,084933688,245
3583215396531309301,159
362261036232428528830
37315946227625536741
38418712921024947628
39413543718219454538
35-39211044752861,5231,2921953,896
40313443613114048415
41111291810311667345
426726109810359309
43133276210079293
44572210477953223
40-441551153814415383061,585
45514156395270201
468187325644165
4724136284838139
48138274547140
492786392138121
45-499336733165222237766
50-54384220106112161452
55-5921264493101258
60-644119265070170
65-69552162675129
70-745132543
75 and over1142228
         
Table 8 Marriages registered in 2012 classified by bride's age and groom's relative age
Age of brideRelative age of groomTotal
10 or more years older5 to 9 years older1 to 4 years olderSame age1 to 4 years younger5 to 9 years younger10 or more years younger
All ages1,2693,5068,2962,7153,98777316720,713
16123
171116321
18102360213117
1921273071196
Under 2032521083114237
20223330126103
212141411415132
221647601118152
231662902813209
243910517028282372
20-2411428839193802968
25421432845047566
2651211457126604909
276127870816513041,346
287730284925420151,688
2976310942323313121,976
25-293071,2443,240918751256,485
3072286991383351142,097
3178251804312442331,920
32792316072364413621,632
33501964711973865411,355
34481363511083095911,012
30-343271,1003,2241,2361,92919648,016
355410125196231754812
36409418662188628640
37339214562144766558
383558124291166011433
39256210937102427384
35-39187407815286781315362,827
4025487036802812299
4129345618592314233
4225364710372211188
43201838731268148
441827251029162127
40-441171632368123611547995
451622296261215126
46162135727177130
47211821618107101
48132527812115101
491017266156484
45-497610313833985638542
50-5459767720523818340
55-593144336251514168
60-641619249112889
65-69176272126
70-7422426117
75 and over1113
         
Table 9 Marriages registered in 2012 classified by age and area of residence of groom before marriage
Area of residence of groomAge of groomAverage age of groom
Under 2020-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445-4950-5455-5960 and overTotal
Total1025164,5238,2453,8961,58576645225837020,71334.7
             
LEINSTER602822,3034,2222,02981141825313122410,73334.8
             
Carlow36639638171081524734.3
Dublin City18925211,013492196806731592,56934.8
South Dublin73925144622186532310151,15134.3
Fingal52623850622695492914171,20534.8
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown28141380165673115123185235.8
Kildare31721133115861272172185734.7
Kilkenny148115867281678837835.0
Laois128513858298104534934.2
Longford283847328442114633.5
Louth612125165823927106848034.6
Meath1121573251694032116876134.4
Offaly138710246161577529834.3
Westmeath3118214274231096736734.6
Wexford61511918010444331661453735.5
Wicklow3710419397622316112053636.5
             
MUNSTER151189891,9289383741948262934,79334.9
             
Clare2158615281342075640834.7
Cork City12199165712717711041934.3
Cork County428316709330139753921261,68735.2
Kerry3692188102351556645834.6
Limerick City2647803711958921435.8
Limerick County161512291154314671059134.1
North Tipperary10561185230733528434.4
South Tipperary21168123702819251133935.5
Waterford City238643811713516935.4
Waterford County133610042161173522435.5
             
CONNACHT1956431829383152554523202,01335.2
             
Galway City314541294819442127833.3
Galway County6161512711275518155566934.0
Leitrim1422442013633111735.4
Mayo61210120890301557748134.0
Roscommon1456875316581323434.4
Sligo26479045197105323435.2
             
ULSTER (part of)4343153821787326211191,05333.5
             
Cavan115661084413772426733.7
Donegal2141771891064015116556533.5
Monaghan157285282043322133.1
             
REGIONAL AUTHORITIES            
             
Border1356509681325144664425211,88434.1
Midland54429242921076373019181,16034.3
West1646362695318120423215161,66233.9
Dublin321651,1512,3451,104444213134671225,77734.8
Mid-East736472849424163824824492,15435.0
Mid-West447340579285118502123301,49734.6
South-East1341405721359144964126481,89435.3
South-West8555071,0625032011075128422,56434.9
             
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND984904,0387,3613,5281,41069340122734618,59234.7
             
NORTHERN IRELAND6951345732996134934.3
BRITAIN412224448176824425971,03134.5
ELSEWHERE8166302135612017161674135.1
             
Table 10 Marriages registered in 2012 classified by age and area of residence of bride before marriage
Area of residence of brideAge of brideAverage age of bride
Under 2020-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445-4950-5455-5960 and overTotal
Total2379686,4858,0162,82799554234016813520,71332.6
             
LEINSTER1525193,2274,1601,528540296187978610,79232.8
             
Carlow3109982387631125031.8
Dublin City511626731,025399134774820262,61532.9
South Dublin21633294471666634121091,15732.6
Fingal1555350506174652622881,22932.8
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown21722038213340202214985933.8
Kildare62530431512332221110585332.5
Kilkenny2712014045231094336333.3
Laois8181251135918663135732.1
Longford5135245151051214831.7
Louth1225174160602415114348832.1
Meath53024231890271843374032.1
Offaly4261041002813755129331.9
Westmeath4171161454618932236232.2
Wexford928163186773014157653533.1
Wicklow523156196753327156754333.7
             
MUNSTER461981,5031,8766492461307048334,79932.8
             
Clare32113315656221125441332.7
Cork City536121165572212106543932.9
Cork County9455096902318443261271,65632.8
Kerry615154194682287347732.3
Limerick City42456692214945321033.0
Limerick County101720022874211165357532.1
North Tipperary115881093116624127332.3
South Tipperary41110812550151487234433.3
Waterford City2854592215711217133.1
Waterford County2680813815943324133.5
             
CONNACHT29946597902639640361252,02432.2
             
Galway City52080135431565331232.4
Galway County103122126983341182267131.9
Leitrim354330165311110832.2
Mayo719167181561810101147031.9
Roscommon188690301243123532.0
Sligo3116285351269522833.5
             
ULSTER (part of)897444332126392313151,08831.1
             
Cavan42010886335102327131.5
Donegal35425316366271191258931.2
Monaghan12383832772222830.7
             
REGIONAL AUTHORITIES            
             
Border261387236072378047341191,91231.7
Midland21743974031485927151061,16032.0
West2378554675212793126641,68832.0
Dublin892971,5722,36087230515710452525,86033.0
Mid-East167870282928892673019152,13632.7
Mid-West187747756218373371419111,47132.5
South-East2270624673270105604023171,90433.1
South-West20967841,049356128634318152,57232.8
             
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND2359085,8337,1582,56692148930615812918,70332.6
             
NORTHERN IRELAND1910111039131061230132.6
BRITAIN1243074251203317117294732.4
ELSEWHERE1172443231022826172276232.7
             
Table 11 Marriages registered in 2012 classified by area of residence of groom before marriage, also showing whether bride has same area of residence
      
Area of residence of groomTotalArea of residence of bridePercentage of brides from same area as groom
Same area as groomDifferent area from groom: Republic of IrelandDifferent area from groom: Not Republic of Ireland
LOCAL AUTHORITY AREAS18,59216,0632,35817186.4
      
Carlow2472024581.8
Dublin City2,5692,3491922891.4
South Dublin1,1511,009133987.7
Fingal1,2051,071126888.9
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown852735112586.3
Kildare85776291488.9
Kilkenny37830769281.2
Laois3493064387.7
Longford14610934374.7
Louth480424451188.3
Meath761640116584.1
Offaly2982465282.6
Westmeath36731450385.6
Wexford53747756488.8
Wicklow53647261388.1
      
Clare40835448686.8
Cork City41934670382.6
Cork County1,6871,479200887.7
Kerry45841438690.4
Limerick City2141763882.2
Limerick County59148598882.1
North Tipperary28422657179.6
South Tipperary3392805982.6
Waterford City1691472287.0
Waterford County2241913385.3
      
Galway City27823441384.2
Galway County669557105783.3
Leitrim1178134269.2
Mayo48140376283.8
Roscommon23417458274.4
Sligo23418644479.5
      
Cavan26721549380.5
Donegal565511332190.4
Monaghan221181301081.9
      
REGIONAL AUTHORITIES18,59216,9681,45317191.3
      
Border1,8841,6581755188.0
Midland1,1601,006148686.7
West1,6621,4991491490.2
Dublin5,7775,4762515094.8
Mid-East2,1541,8952471288.0
Mid-West1,4971,3191631588.1
South-East1,8941,712176690.4
South-West2,5642,4031441793.7
      
PROVINCES18,59217,65476717195.0
      
Leinster10,73310,3403088596.3
Munster4,7934,5631983295.2
Connacht2,0131,8311622091.0
Ulster (part of)1,053920993487.4
      
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND18,59218,42117199.1
      
NORTHERN IRELAND34925097271.6
BRITAIN1,0319171021288.9
ELSEWHERE741643831586.8
      
Table 12 Marriages registered in 2012 classified by area of residence of bride before marriage, also showing whether groom has same area of residence
       
Area of residence of brideTotalArea of residence of groomPercentage of grooms from same area as bride
Same area as brideDifferent area from bride: Republic of IrelandDifferent area from bride: Not Republic of IrelandNot stated
LOCAL AUTHORITY AREAS18,70316,0632,35828285.7
       
Carlow25020246280.8
Dublin City2,6152,3492481889.8
South Dublin1,1571,0091311787.2
Fingal1,2291,0711342487.1
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown8597351121285.6
Kildare853762801189.3
Kilkenny36330751584.6
Laois35730645685.7
Longford14810935473.6
Louth488424501486.9
Meath740640831786.5
Offaly29324645284.0
Westmeath36231443586.7
Wexford53547754489.2
Wicklow54347264786.9
       
Clare41335451885.7
Cork City43934690378.8
Cork County1,6561,4791591889.3
Kerry47741458586.8
Limerick City2101763483.8
Limerick County57548584684.3
North Tipperary27322645282.8
South Tipperary34428059581.4
Waterford City17114723186.0
Waterford County24119149179.3
       
Galway City31223475375.0
Galway County671557108683.0
Leitrim1088126175.0
Mayo47040362585.7
Roscommon23517459274.0
Sligo22818636681.6
       
Cavan271215421479.3
Donegal589511483086.8
Monaghan228181291879.4
       
REGIONAL AUTHORITIES18,70316,9681,45328290.7
       
Border1,9121,6581718386.7
Midland1,1601,0061371786.7
West1,6881,4991731688.8
Dublin5,8605,4773127193.5
Mid-East2,1361,8952063588.7
Mid-West1,4711,3191361689.7
South-East1,9041,7111751889.9
South-West2,5722,4031432693.4
       
PROVINCES18,70317,65476728294.4
       
Leinster10,79210,34030414895.8
Munster4,7994,5631874995.1
Connacht2,0241,8311702390.5
Ulster (part of)1,0889201066284.6
       
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND18,70318,42128298.5
       
NORTHERN IRELAND30125046583.1
BRITAIN94791726496.8
ELSEWHERE762643992084.4
NOT STATED
       
Table 13 Marriages celebrated in each county and city during 2012 classified by form of ceremony
Province, county or cityForm of ceremony1Total
CatholicChurch of IrelandPresbyterianOther religious denominationsCivil marriages
TOTAL13,497433849025,79720,713
       
LEINSTER5,910222197313,41110,293
       
Carlow2291316102351
Dublin City7432851451,5742,495
South Dublin4321655456563
Fingal383918993575
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown231225339345
Kildare5782295292987
Kilkenny358926103478
Laois2989677390
Longford1292144176
Louth365229175571
Meath7001411081961,019
Offaly24391482339
Westmeath308311112434
Wexford4702030183703
Wicklow44344394283867
       
MUNSTER4,2809511141,3925,882
       
Clare4742719502
Cork City336916429790
Cork County1,292491431781,563
Kerry681128158859
Limerick City10522269378
Limerick County4974824533
North Tipperary29241061367
South Tipperary29774100408
Waterford City767104187
Waterford County2306950295
       
CONNACHT2,100393296072,778
       
Galway City1941466265
Galway County655419264933
Leitrim1495128183
Mayo620126102740
Roscommon2721131305
Sligo2101628116352
       
ULSTER (part of)1,2077761283871,760
       
Cavan27625517176499
Donegal67635466168931
Monaghan2551710543330
       
REGIONAL AUTHORITIES      
       
Border1,93110063667062,866
Midland978231223151,339
West1,741181204632,243
Dublin1,78975113411,7623,978
Mid-East1,7218042977712,873
Mid-West1,36812273731,780
South-East1,660553626422,422
South-West2,309701677653,212
       
1There is at present no provision for the civil registration of Muslim marriage ceremonies solemnised in the State. 
Table 14 Marriages registered in 2012 classified by area of residence of groom and form of ceremony
Area of residence of groom Form of ceremony1Total
CatholicChurch of IrelandPresbyterianOther religious denominationsCivil marriages
TOTAL13,497433849025,79720,713
       
LEINSTER6,367213176723,46410,733
       
Carlow18371353247
Dublin City1,2233851951,1082,569
South Dublin66225973671,151
Fingal6591831214041,205
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown48637165263852
Kildare54719152238857
Kilkenny28571580378
Laois237516100349
Longford1013240146
Louth318324135480
Meath5297143181761
Offaly2144674298
Westmeath2637691367
Wexford3651710145537
Wicklow29516337185536
       
MUNSTER3,407565771,2484,793
       
Clare2905113408
Cork City239310167419
Cork County1,201354384091,687
Kerry3584393458
Limerick City1231486214
Limerick County463316118591
North Tipperary2105366284
South Tipperary2561478339
Waterford City105361169
Waterford County1624157224
       
CONNACHT1,546262214182,013
       
Galway City1873484278
Galway County53718123669
Leitrim87426117
Mayo3876682481
Roscommon1921239234
Sligo156121164234
       
ULSTER (part of)8054240131531,053
       
Cavan196134648267
Donegal4282330480565
Monaghan18166325221
       
REGIONAL AUTHORITIES:      
       
Border1,3666141383781,884
Midland815191203051,160
West1,303101203281,662
Dublin3,03011894782,1425,777
Mid-East1,3714251326042,154
Mid-West1,08691183831,497
South-East1,356362264741,894
South-West1,798424516692,564
       
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND12,125337647835,28318,592
       
NORTHERN IRELAND2182512886349
BRITAIN703534652061,031
ELSEWHERE45118446222741
       
1There is at present no provision for the civil registration of Muslim marriage ceremonies solemnised in the State.  
Table 15 Marriages registered in 2012 classified by area of residence of bride and form of ceremony
Area of residence of bride Form of ceremony1Total
CatholicChurch of IrelandPresbyterianOther religious denominationsCivil marriages
TOTAL13,497433849025,79720,713
       
LEINSTER6,424216186823,45210,792
       
Carlow1878253250
Dublin City1,2634142001,1072,615
South Dublin6641711013741,157
Fingal6741641234121,229
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown4754568271859
Kildare56115250225853
Kilkenny27662673363
Laois239616105357
Longford107239148
Louth3284124131488
Meath517841174740
Offaly2154569293
Westmeath2587493362
Wexford364159147535
Wicklow29624341179543
       
MUNSTER3,423571791,2394,799
       
Clare3004109413
Cork City250411174439
Cork County1,190371343941,656
Kerry3764493477
Limerick City1151490210
Limerick County45427112575
North Tipperary2014563273
South Tipperary2591480344
Waterford City104364171
Waterford County1744360241
       
CONNACHT1,556261224192,024
       
Galway City2143689312
Galway County529318130671
Leitrim79425108
Mayo3806579470
Roscommon199234235
Sligo15510162228
       
ULSTER (part of)8265142121571,088
       
Cavan195184648271
Donegal4462432384589
Monaghan18596325228
       
REGIONAL AUTHORITIES:      
       
Border1,3886943373751,912
Midland819171173061,160
West1,322121213321,688
Dublin3,07611994922,1645,860
Mid-East1,3744751325782,136
Mid-West1,0707203741,471
South-East1,364342274771,904
South-West1,816451496612,572
       
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND12,229350627955,26718,703
       
NORTHERN IRELAND1702214887301
BRITAIN65947456181947
ELSEWHERE43914443262762
       
1There is at present no provision for the civil registration of Muslim marriage ceremonies solemnised in the State.  
Table 16 Marriages registered in 2012 classified by month and day of week of marriage
         
Month of occurrenceDay of occurrenceTotal
SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
January54041436615995449
February329455469259211670
March122235631526434871,414
April126861742314694751,390
May246586963056466501,872
June257475832729519312,411
July18991021233748038402,359
August591001051745191,1809093,046
September1978641133458649932,476
October3280771052366706241,824
November54144561525443591,201
December663951943044924471,601
         
Total2207598301,1783,0257,6807,02120,713
         
Table 17 Marriages registered in 2012 classified by form of ceremony and previous marital status of partners
Marriages contracted betweenForm of ceremony1Total
CatholicChurch of IrelandPresbyterianOther religious denominationsCivil marriages
Total13,497433849025,79720,713
       
Single men and single women13,190380766433,99718,286
Single men and widows24122653
Widowers and single women38462674
Widowers and widows1721727
Divorced men and single women117264138695980
Single men and divorced women9112158518680
Divorced men and widows352836
Widowers and divorced women51147384
Divorced men and divorced women127146427493
       
1 There is at present no provision for the civil registration of Muslim marriage ceremonies solemnised in the State.
Table 18 Marriages registered in 2012 classified by county of residence and previous marital status of groom
     
Area of residence of groomSingle menWidowersDivorceesTotal
TOTAL19,0191851,50920,713
     
LEINSTER9,77511084810,733
     
Carlow226219247
Dublin City2,381221662,569
South Dublin1,04212971,151
Fingal1,08981081,205
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown7611477852
Kildare7791167857
Kilkenny348723378
Laois317329349
Longford132311146
Louth437439480
Meath698756761
Offaly270226298
Westmeath347119367
Wexford481947537
Wicklow467564536
MUNSTER4,428453204,793
     
Clare381225408
Cork City392522419
Cork County1,549141241,687
Kerry426428458
Limerick City189619214
Limerick County552336591
North Tipperary266315284
South Tipperary316221339
Waterford City152512169
Waterford County205118224
     
CONNACHT1,891131092,013
     
Galway City27026278
Galway County624540669
Leitrim1098117
Mayo450427481
Roscommon22014234
Sligo218214234
     
ULSTER (part of)1,0004491,053
     
Cavan251115267
Donegal534229565
Monaghan21515221
     
REGIONAL AUTHORITIES:    
     
Border1,764101101,884
Midland1,0669851,160
West1,56411871,662
Dublin5,273564485,777
Mid-East1,944231872,154
Mid-West1,38814951,497
South-East1,728261401,894
South-West2,367231742,564
     
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND17,0941721,32618,592
     
NORTHERN IRELAND314332349
BRITAIN9386871,031
ELSEWHERE673464741
     
Table 19 Marriages registered in 2012 classified by county of residence and previous marital status of bride
Area of residence of brideSingle womenWidowsDivorceesTotal
TOTAL19,3401161,25720,713
     
LEINSTER10,0566667010,792
     
Carlow236212250
Dublin City2,447121562,615
South Dublin1,0879611,157
Fingal1,1408811,229
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown800455859
Kildare792457853
Kilkenny339420363
Laois330126357
Longford14017148
Louth445340488
Meath702335740
Offaly26924293
Westmeath344216362
Wexford487741535
Wicklow498639543
     
MUNSTER4,468303014,799
     
Clare378332413
Cork City408130439
Cork County1,54881001,656
Kerry454122477
Limerick City188319210
Limerick County544229575
North Tipperary252120273
South Tipperary316424344
Waterford City156411171
Waterford County224314241
     
CONNACHT1,9178992,024
     
Galway City30012312
Galway County639329671
Leitrim1017108
Mayo448319470
Roscommon221113235
Sligo208119228
     
ULSTER (part of)1,0303551,088
     
Cavan251119271
Donegal559228589
Monaghan2208228
     
REGIONAL AUTHORITIES:17,4711071,12518,703
     
Border1,78471211,912
Midland1,0834731,160
West1,6087731,688
Dublin5,474333535,860
Mid-East1,992131312,136
Mid-West1,36291001,471
South-East1,758241221,904
South-West2,410101522,572
     
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND17,4711071,12518,703
     
NORTHERN IRELAND275422301
BRITAIN898247947
ELSEWHERE696363762
NOT STATED
     
Table 20 Marriages in 2012 classified by age of groom and bride in single years; all marriages
                                        
Age of groomAge of bride
16 & under17181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950-5455-5960-6465 & overAll ages
All ages321117961031321522093725669091,3461,6881,9762,0971,9201,6321,3551,01281264055843338429923318814812712613010110184340168894620,713
16 & under
173317
1816211113144
1952374641151
201419912672161
2111131081473434211274
2215379117632212241167
23881215281813783231211130
2411571013162828161714641221111184
25391010173337503531181351174324112111309
264467151850791267431312316774341311515
275477623488614416513890413418128101341111858
281156121226356813424425417980694329191196411211,252
292541215122951101202277323207142684825201114444312211,589
3032431013264278151257317383197119615631121684661111,808
3112434421367911117126836831221111863382915156124121,889
3224345714295993144208268308236159815639251712554221111,794
3322351523336811514919820321019710965462816662111211,507
34132319132442629815716518217110872414022144442121,247
353222371116436589961281401401239662433315128543222111,159
3611369832384788807582947362332535108842411830
371112232101422454362837879724762362325104731111741
3812781019313456686055595442292922119113211121628
39112891716253240534447514539372321825331131538
403771615212334293334353428361711106343213415
412113421811201417282920222330272318981028211345
42211165612101521171623262133192510116633451309
4321456761520131716183217211714107710123436293
4412165911711161913141711131671088421641223
451311341298131512999134121310645151441201
4613214425913129141299869765582165
4712112311233945997121110549643921139
4812124546351671311371149868211140
491121323221674353616711813611411121
50-5421213314655810131317142020221324222222243097253452
55-591153221753119611101513201381336258
60-6411122224341465274344288170
65 & over211111113332166336454736200
                                        
Table 21 Marriages in 2012 classified by age of groom and bride in single years; first marriages only
                                        
Age of groomAge of bride
16 & under17181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950-5455-5960-6465 & overAll ages
All ages321116951001271492033635548871,3211,6451,9332,0341,8561,5611,2559177105514603372742051279579464748263220541911518,286
16 & under
173317
1816211113144
1952374641151
201419912672161
2111131081473434211274
221537911763221224166
2388121528181278223121127
241157101316282815161354121111178
253910101733375034311813511743221111303
26446715185079126743031231577434131512
274467523488514416513789403217107813311840
281156121226356813224125317578684025169742121,219
292541115122949101201277319207141674721191114432112111,567
30324310122440781512563173791951186152281213735111,775
311243342136761101702663663112081166137271412513121,860
3224345614275892141206264305232152785534251310534111,744
3322341523316811014919520220818910561432416542111,463
341323181224416195149161177166104673735201422211,188
353212371116406186921261391311159055402913106321111,086
3612698303446847872779066592822298654311769
3711121329131942415480697569455633211963621674
381267918293053605649505232242316868111542
39112871715212838473743454034251715531112454
40365131318203124272827272331148643211335
411112311710141114222214182122202013783151263
42216359713161592021152116137554223220
431146541316911151325121712684216211195
441154696811149101059646442211138
452112857111286558663413111107
46111133388676636322221378
472121112713455665326112471
4811223134643453423455
49112122121121311455433147
50-54211112122555461224694128193108
55-59111141141111377237
60-6411144415
65 & over134513
                                        
Table 22 Marriages registered in 2012 classified by age and previous marital status of groom
     
AgeSingle MenWidowersDivorceesTotal
Total19,0191851,50920,713
     
Age of groom    
Under 20102102
20-245151516
25-294,5063144,523
30-348,1734688,245
35-393,68891993,896
40-441,29882791,585
45-4945414298766
50-5415922271452
55-596428166258
60 and over6097213370
     
Average age of groom33.359.349.034.7
     
Table 23 Marriages registered in 2012 classified by age and previous marital status of bride
     
AgeSingle womenWidowsDivorceesTotal
Total19,3401161,25720,713
     
Age of bride    
Under 20237237
20-249644968
25-296,4403426,485
30-347,86061508,016
35-392,59362282,827
40-4474014241995
45-4929120231542
50-5412625189340
55-595012106168
60 and over393066135
     
Average age of bride31.752.444.632.6
     
Table A Divorce, Judicial Separation and Nullity applications received and granted by the courts in year ending December 2012
        
  Divorce ApplicationsJudicial Separation ApplicationsNullity Applications
CourtCountyReceivedGrantedReceivedGrantedReceivedGranted
TOTAL 3,4822,8921,2908582819
        
CIRCUIT COURT       
Leinster  2,0421,612729464169
        
CarlowCarlow4713167--
DublinDublin1,273997461286122
NaasKildare109655331--
KilkennyKilkenny56441216--
PortlaoiseLaois454925121-
LongfordLongford261995--
DundalkLouth76732329--
TrimMeath82523718-3
TullamoreOffaly65571311--
MullingarWestmeath5544241721
WexfordWexford1151092214--
WicklowWicklow9390341813
        
Munster 929762342218104
        
EnnisClare60582726--
CorkCork4243051508734
TraleeKerry688135234-
LimerickLimerick13110760322-
ClonmelTipperary1581414833--
WaterfordWaterford887022171-
        
Connacht 32235114014725
        
GalwayGalway1562237610922
Carrick on ShannonLeitrim2419103-1
CastlebarMayo60531820--
RoscommonRoscommon3832226-2
SligoSligo4424149--
        
Ulster 1691435811--
        
CavanCavan4335246--
LetterkennyDonegal879121--1
MonaghanMonaghan3917135--
        
TOTAL CIRCUIT COURT3,4622,8681,2698402819
TOTAL HIGH COURT 20242118--
TOTAL SUPREME COURT ------
        
Source: Courts Service.      
Table 1A Civil Partnerships registered in 2012 classified by future area of residence of partners
    
Area of residence of partners All partnershipsMale partnershipsFemale partnerships
TOTAL429263166
    
LEINSTER298192106
    
Carlow431
Dublin City1489949
South Dublin281513
Fingal18711
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown372512
Kildare972
Kilkenny633
Laois2-2
Longford22-
Louth642
Meath1394
Offaly33-
Westmeath431
Wexford44-
Wicklow1486
    
MUNSTER723240
    
Clare936
Cork City1156
Cork County281117
Kerry321
Limerick City734
Limerick County752
North Tipperary2-2
South Tipperary211
Waterford City22-
Waterford County1-1
    
CONNACHT1798
    
Galway City743
Galway County1055
Leitrim---
Mayo---
Roscommon---
Sligo---
    
ULSTER (part of)752
    
Cavan11-
Donegal541
Monaghan1-1
    
REGIONAL AUTHORITIES   
    
Border1394
Midland23114685
West362412
Dublin251114
Mid-East1183
Mid-West19136
South-East421824
South-West1798
    
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND   
    
OUTSIDE THE STATE352510
    
Table 2A Civil Partnerships registered in 2012 classified by previous civil status and average age of partners
      
TotalSingleWidows/WidowersDivorceesFormer Civil PartnerAverage age of partner
      
858794160341.6
      
Table 2B Civil Partnerships registered in 2012 classified by previous civil status, and average age of male partners
      
TotalSingle menWidowersDivorceesFormer Civil PartnerAverage age of male partner
      
526500-24241.1
      
Table 2C Civil Partnerships registered in 2012 classified by previous civil status and average age of female partners
      
TotalSingle womenWidowsDivorceesFormer Civil PartnerAverage age of female partner
      
332294136142.2
      
Table 3A Civil Partnerships registered in 2012 classified by older partners age and younger partners relative age
            
All partnersTotal older partnersYounger partner
AgeUnder 2020-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445-4950-5555-5960 and over
            
Total all ages429326628581596130148
            
Under 2011---------
20-242-2--------
25-29271917-------
30-3460-92130------
35-397013122925-----
40-4475-19172721----
45-4967--15172222---
50-5451-1-3692111--
55-5933---11411133-
60 and over43-12-5376118
            
Table 4A Civil Partnerships registered in 2012 classified by older male partners age and younger male partners relative age
            
Male partnersTotal male partners Younger male partner
Age All agesUnder 2020-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445-4950-5455-5960 and over
            
Older male partner26331849494334391855
            
Under 2011---------
20-241-1--------
25-29201514-------
30-3438-61616------
35-39371381510-----
40-4448-18101613----
45-4940--15101311---
50-5428-1-232146--
55-5922---11497--
60 and over28-12-325555
            
Table 5A Civil Partnerships registered in 2012 classified by older female parter age and younger female partners relative age
            
Female partnersTotal female partnersYounger female partner
Ageall agesUnder 2020-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445-4950-5455-5960 and over
            
Total166-813363825221293
 
Under 20-----------
20-241-1--------
25-297-43-------
30-3422-3514------
35-3933--41415-----
40-4427--17118----
45-4927----7911---
50-5423---13775--
55-5911------263-
60+15----212163
            
Table 6A Civil Partnerships registered in 2012 classified by age difference of partners in years and percentage
          
 TotalNo age difference1 to 4 years difference5 to 9 years difference10 or more years difference
 NumberNumber PercentageNumber Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage
   % % % %
All Partnerships429327.517741.311627.010424.2
          
Male Partnerships263197.29636.57026.67829.7
          
Female partnerships166137.88148.84627.72615.7
          
          
          

Background Notes

Source

These statistics have been compiled from the marriage registration forms of all marriages registered in the Republic of Ireland in 2012.

The release has been prepared by the Central Statistics Office for the Minister for Health and Children in accordance with the provisions of Section 2 of the Vital Statistics and Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act, 1952 and Section 73 of the Civil Registration Act, 2004.

Methodology

Where the weekday and month of a marriage are specified in this release, it refers to the date on which the marriage occurred. Note that some marriages registered in 2012 (and hence included in these statistics) occurred in years before 2012.

Form of Ceremony

Marriages celebrated according to the rites and ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church, the rites and ceremonies of the Church of Ireland, the forms and disciplines of the Presbyterian Church, the usages of the Society of Friends, the usages of people professing the Jewish religion, and the usages of certain other Religious Bodies have been classified under their respective religions.

There is at present no provision for the civil registration of Muslim Marriage Ceremonies solemnised in the State.

Standard Occupation Codes (SOC2010)

This classification is determined by a person’s occupation.  The men and women whose marriages were registered in 2012 were classified by standard occupation codes.  This replaces the socio-economic group classification used to 2011. 

Standard Occupation Codes      Occupations included are as listed 
4 Administrative and secretarial occupations
3 Associate professional and Technical occupations
6 Caring, Leisure and Other service occupations
9 Elementary occupations 
1 Managers, Directors and Senior officials 
8 Process, Plant and Machine operatives
2 Professional occupations
7 Sales and Customer service occupations
5 Skilled trades occupations
0 Unemployed, Retired, Student and occupation unknown

 

Standard Occupational Classification Codes (SOC2010) (XLS 85KB)

Area of residence

Four classifications of district are available: that in which the marriage took place, the areas of residence of the bride and groom prior to marriage, and the intended future residence.

Age specific marriage rates

The age specific marriage rates are calculated as follows:

Age Specific Rate = Number of Males (or Females) of that age whose marriages were registered multiplied by 1,000 and divided by Population of Males (or Females) of that age. The small number of marriages for which the age is not stated are distributed in proportion before this calculation is made.

Marriages/Civil Partnerships per 1,000 population

This is calculated for each year as follows:

Marriages/Civil Partnerships per 1,000 population = Number of Marriages/Civil partnerships registered multiplied by 1,000 and divided by population.   The 2012 estimated usual residence population is 4,585,407.

NUTS2 and NUTS3 regions

The regional classifications in this release are based on the NUTS (Nomenclature of Territorial Units) classification used by Eurostat. The NUTS3 regions correspond to the eight Regional Authorities established under the Local Government Act, 1991 (Regional Authorities) (Establishment) Order, 1993, which came into operation on 1 January 1994. The NUTS2 regions, which were proposed by Government and agreed by Eurostat in 1999, are groupings of the NUTS3 regions. The composition of the regions is set out below.

Border, Midland and Western NUTS2 Region      Southern and Eastern NUTS2 Region  
           
Border Cavan     Dublin Dublin City 
  Donegal       Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown 
  Leitrim       Fingal 
  Louth       South Dublin  
  Monaghan        
  Sligo     Mid-East  Kildare 
          Meath 
Midland Laois       Wicklow 
  Longford        
  Offaly     Mid-West  Clare 
  Westmeath       Limerick City 
          Limerick County 
West Galway City       North Tipperary 
  Galway County        
  Mayo     South-East  Carlow 
  Roscommon       Kilkenny 
          South Tipperary 
          Waterford City 
          Waterford County 
          Wexford 
           
        South-West  Cork City 
          Cork County 
          Kerry 

EU-27 countries

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

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