The number of marriages in Hungary has shown a significant decrease in recent decadeswhich is influenced by many demographic, economic and social factors. People’s lifestyles and attitudes have changed a lot over time, and these changes significantly affect their relationship to marriage.
The number of marriages has fluctuated in recent years. The 65,268 marriages in 2019 rose to 72,030 in 2021, signaling a brief recovery period. However From 2022, the numbers show a downward trend againand in 2023 there were 50,139 marriages, while by the year 2024, it is expected to decrease further, and there are expected to be only 47,746 marriages.
This decrease suggests that the propensity to marry is decreasing, which may be due to both demographic and social reasons.
Demographic changes: the population of marriageable age is decreasing
According to the data of the Central Statistical Office (KSH), Hungary’s population is constantly aging, and one of the consequences of this is that the number of young people of marriageable age is also decreasing. The Hungarian korfa – i.e. the diagram illustrating the ratio of different age groups – clearly shows that fewer and fewer young people are entering the age that was traditionally the most common period for marriages.
The 30-35 age group – who typically fall into the marriage age group – currently makes up 7.74% of Hungary’s population, which consists of a total of 741,609 people (384,702 men and 356,907 women).
This age group is one of the most active marriage groups in the structure of the population, yet it is represented in an increasingly smaller proportion within the entire population, which may further reduce the number of marriages in the long term.
The date of marriage is postponed
Another significant factor behind the decline in the number of marriages is the shift in the date of marriage.
While in the past people typically got married in their early twenties, today they are increasingly postponing this event until their thirties.
This change is partly due to changed life goals and social expectations. For young people nowadays, more emphasis is placed on learning, building a career and creating financial security before they turn their attention to a serious relationship and then marriage.
The average age at first marriage has risen steadily over the past four decades. For men the average age in 1980 was 24.5 years, which By 2023, it has increased to 33.5 years. In the case of women this age from 21.8 years It rose to 30.9 years.
Financial burdens and existential challenges of having children
The costs of marriage and starting a family are also significant influencing factors. For many young couples marriage and having children are financially burdensomeand more and more people are considering existential questions as a priority. Rising house prices, inflation and the uncertain economic situation make it difficult for couples to enter into a long-term marriage with a secure financial background.
The cover image is an illustration. Cover image source: Getty Images
Source: www.portfolio.hu
