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Concerns over the decline in marriage registrations in Singapore

Published July 10, 2026 at 10:35 PM UTC

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The recent decrease in marriage registrations in Singapore raises concerns about the societal impacts of fewer individuals choosing to marry. In 2024, 26,328 couples registered their marriages, a decline from 28,310 in 2023 and 29,389 in 2022. This trend, particularly evident among those aged 25 to 34, suggests a shift in societal attitudes toward marriage. While some view this as a move toward more mature and stable unions, others worry it reflects hesitancy to commit and potential weakening of traditional family structures. The introduction of divorce by mutual agreement (DMA) as a sixth fact of divorce—allowing couples to end their marriage without assigning blame—may inadvertently contribute to this pattern. By simplifying divorce, DMA could diminish perceptions of marriage's permanence, leading some to delay or avoid commitment. Furthermore, the rise in marital stability, with a lower average number of divorces per year from 2020 to 2024 compared to previous years, might conceal underlying issues. The combination of declining marriage registrations and increasing marital stability suggests that while those who marry tend to have more stable unions, fewer people are deciding to marry. This shift could have long-term consequences for societal structures, including traditional families and population growth. In conclusion, although the decline in marriage registrations and greater marital stability have positive sides, they also call for careful consideration of their broader societal implications and the factors influencing decisions about marriage.