Marriage Is Dying: Pensioners Now More Likely to Marry Than Young Adults in Britain

Marriage Rates Collapse Among Young Adults as Pensioners Now More Likely to Wed in the UK

The institution of marriage in England and Wales has undergone a staggering collapse among young people, according to a new report from the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) titled "I Do?"

The report reveals that male pensioners aged 66 and over now marry at a rate of 5.6 per 1,000, which is a third higher than men in their early twenties, who marry at just 4.1 per 1,000. This marks a dramatic reversal from 1997, when young men married at 23.1 per 1,000 compared to 4.8 per 1,000 for pensioners.

In 1970, 62% of men were married by age 25. Today, that figure has plummeted to just 2%. Young men's marriage rates have declined by 98% since the early 1970s, while young women's rates have dropped by 97% over the same period.

Despite a UK population increase of ten million between 1973 and 2023, the number of marriages fell from approximately 400,000 to just 224,402, the smallest annual total since the 1850s, excluding the pandemic years. An estimated 100,000 couples who postponed their weddings during the pandemic never rescheduled.

Women now marry for the first time at a median age of 33, the highest in recorded history. In the 1970s, the average was 25.

Dan Lilley, CSJ Programme Lead, warned that Britain is witnessing a "total collapse" of marriage among young people.

Perhaps most striking is the gap between aspiration and reality. Some 86% of unmarried women under 30 still aspire to marry, and 80% of unmarried men under 30 say the same. Yet fewer and fewer are following through.

On a positive note, the divorce rate has fallen to its lowest in four decades, with just 16.8% of marriages ending within ten years as of 2023.

UK Marriage Crisis Deepens as Wedding Numbers Hit Historic Lows

The CSJ report paints a sobering picture of how cultural and economic factors have fundamentally reshaped attitudes toward marriage, particularly among younger generations. Overall, marriage rates have declined 77% for men and 73% for women over the past five decades.

The findings carry significant implications for churches across Britain, where religious wedding ceremonies have already fallen to historic lows. The data suggests that without significant intervention, marriage could become an institution largely associated with older generations rather than young couples starting families.

The Crusader's Opinion

God ordained marriage as the foundation of civilization, and what we are witnessing in Britain is nothing short of a civilizational crisis. When pensioners are more likely to wed than young men in their prime, something has gone terribly wrong. The culture has spent decades mocking marriage, glorifying cohabitation, and telling young people that commitment is a cage. The fruits of that rebellion are now undeniable: broken homes, fatherless children, and a society unmoored from the covenant that holds it together. The Church must not stay silent. We must boldly proclaim that marriage is not an outdated tradition but a sacred calling, a reflection of Christ's love for His bride. If 86% of young women still want to marry, the desire is there. The Church must rise to meet it with truth, encouragement, and practical support.

Take Action

• Read the full CSJ "I Do?" report at centreforsocialjustice.org.uk and share its findings with your church leadership.
• Talk to your pastor about starting or strengthening marriage preparation and mentorship programs in your congregation.
• Have honest conversations with young adults in your life about the value and beauty of marriage as a God ordained covenant.
• Support organizations defending the family: consider donating to The Shepherd's Shield or CARE (Christian Action Research and Education).
• Write to your local MP urging government policies that incentivize and support marriage, including tax benefits for married couples.