THE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported a significant decrease in the number of marriages registered in the Philippines during 2023.
Only 414,213 marriages were recorded, representing a 7.8% decline compared to 2022. This indicates a shift in Filipino societal norms, with a growing number of couples opting for cohabitation instead of formal marriage.
According to the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey, 19% of women aged 15-49 were cohabiting with their partners without being formally married. The number of children born outside of marriage also increased significantly, with 842,728 births compared to 605,794 births within legally married couples.
Despite this trend, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) emphasized the importance of supporting all types of families. The CPD believes that the diversity of family structures should be accepted and supported by both the government and society.
February recorded the highest number of marriages in 2023, followed by December and June. CALABARZON region had the highest number of registered marriages, while the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) had the lowest. In terms of ceremony type, 42.9% were civil weddings, 31.4% were Roman Catholic, and 23.5% were other religious ceremonies.
The average age of marriage remained at 28 for women and 30 for men. However, the issue of child marriage persists, with 12,630 underage girls marrying in 2023.
The CPD advocates for the implementation of policies that support families, regardless of their structure. They believe that providing support to all types of families is crucial for the nation’s development.
metrosundaily
