Singapore saw a continued decline in marriages in 2025, with 24,687 unions recorded – the lowest number since 2020. This represents a 6.2 percent fall from the 26,328 marriages registered in 2024, according to data from the Department of Statistics.
Shifting Trends in Marriage
This marks the third consecutive year of declining marriages following a peak of 29,389 in 2022, a period attributed to couples postponing weddings during the COVID-19 pandemic and then proceeding with ceremonies in subsequent years. Experts studying marriage and parenthood consider the 6.2 percent decrease to be significant.
The decline in marriages is expected to further impact Singapore’s already low total fertility rate (TFR), which measures the average number of babies each woman is expected to have during her reproductive years. The TFR in 2024 was 0.97, and Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong indicated in January that the 2025 figure is “not likely to grant good news.” He noted that even with a typical “baby blip” associated with dragon years, the TFR for 2024 remained unchanged from 2023.
Several factors are contributing to this trend. Academics point to a decrease in the number of people of “marriageable age” – those between 20 and early 30s – as well as the impact of economic uncertainty, a higher cost of living, and geopolitical tensions. Longer-term shifts in perceptions of marriage are similarly at play.
People are marrying later in life, spending more time finding the right partner or establishing their relationships. The median age at first marriage has risen: from 29.4 years in 2004 to 31.1 years for men in 2024, and from 26.7 years to 29.6 years for women over the same period. A “growing minority” are also choosing to remain single, viewing marriage as unnecessary or incompatible with their life goals.
Kelvin Ngian, a 41-year-old business owner, recently married Charmaine Cheong, a 32-year-old marketing manager, in November 2025 after dating for five years. Mr. Ngian noted that many of his peers are already married with children, making him feel “late to the game.” The couple intends to have two children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the total number of marriages in Singapore in 2025?
There were 24,687 marriages in Singapore in 2025.
What was Singapore’s total fertility rate in 2024?
The total fertility rate in Singapore in 2024 was 0.97.
Has the median age at first marriage been changing in Singapore?
Yes, the median age at first marriage has been rising for both men and women over the past two decades. For men, it rose from 29.4 years in 2004 to 31.1 years in 2024. For women, it increased from 26.7 years in 2004 to 29.6 years in 2024.
As societal norms and individual priorities evolve, what impact will these trends have on the future of family structures in Singapore?
