Marriage, Cohabitation and Divorce

Patterns of marriage, cohabitation, and divorce have changed dramatically in the UK since the mid-twentieth century. These changes reflect — and in turn shape — broader social transformations in gender roles, secularisation, individualisation, and state policy. Understanding these trends, and the sociological explanations for them, is essential for AQA A-Level Sociology (7192).

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Trends in Marriage

Declining Marriage Rates

Marriage rates in the UK have fallen significantly since the early 1970s:

Year	Marriages (England & Wales)	Key Context
1972	~480,000 (peak year)	Post-war baby boomers reaching marriageable age
1992	~311,000	Declining steadily
2009	~232,000	Continued fall
2019	~213,000	Lowest recorded number

Key Trends