Singapore sees glut of weddings
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More couples in Singapore are tying the knot than at any point in the last five decades - while the number of divorces is on the decline.
About 27,930 marriages were registered last year, the most since records began in 1961.
Sociologists and experts said couples could be taking the plunge due to a “fairly stable” global economic outlook and the success of pro-parenthood initiatives.
“In Singapore, we tend to be busy and the cost of living is very high, and these can discourage couples wanting to marry,” said Marriage Central Advisory Board co-deputy chairman Benny Bong.
“But the number showed that people are not put off.”
About 43 in every 1,000 unmarried residents aged 15 to 44 got hitched last year, figures released yesterday revealed. This was the highest rate since 2008, although the proportion has generally been declining since 1990.
Also, the number of divorces and annulments fell by 4.8 per cent, the first drop in seven years.
Sociologist Paulin Straughan said the relatively stable global economy could be encouraging couples to tie the knot as they “are not worried about things like losing their jobs”.
She added that initiatives to promote family and parenthood also consistently drove home the message that marriage is valued.
Another factor is the increase in Muslim marriages, while more foreigners are also getting hitched here and the number of inter-ethnic marriages continues to rise.
