Manila: Even as marriage remains an important institution for many Filipinos, fewer couples are seen tying the knot, choosing not to formalize their unions.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) reported in a recent release that the number of registered marriages in the country has steadily declined over the past decade.
CPD Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales remarked that the decline in formal marriages reflects economic realities and shifting social aspirations. She emphasized that the Filipino family is evolving, mirroring changes in economic conditions, aspirations, and new pathways to family formation. This has highlighted the need for policies that cater to the changing needs of Filipino families.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) revealed a 13.5 percent decline in registered marriages over the last ten years, from 429,723 in 2014 to 371,825 in 2024. The downward trend was briefly interrupted during the post-COVID-19 recovery when marriages rebounded to 449,428 in 2022, as postponed weddings were finally held. However, the decline resumed, with marriages falling by 7.8 percent to 414,213 in 2023 and by another 10.2 percent to 371,825 in 2024. These trends provide important demographic insights into the changing nature of family formation in the Philippines.
The CPD noted that these shifts have broader implications for fertility intentions, child well-being, social protection, housing, education, and long-term development planning. Bersales highlighted the importance of understanding these changes to design responsive population and development policies that support Filipino families in their varied circumstances.
The data also indicates that Filipinos are entering marriage at a more mature age than a decade ago. In 2024, the median age at marriage was 30 years for males and 28 years for females, compared to 28 and 26 years, respectively, in 2015. Couples aged 25 to 29 years continued to account for the largest share of newlyweds. Marriage registrations remain concentrated in the most populous regions, with Calabarzon leading in 2024, followed by the National Capital Region and Central Luzon. February remained the most popular month for weddings, while civil ceremonies continued to outnumber church weddings.
The decline in formal marriages aligns with a growing number of Filipinos opting for common-law or live-in arrangements. The 2020 Census of Population and Housing recorded 12.66 million Filipinos in common-law relationships. The proportion of women aged 15 to 49 living with a partner rose to 20.5 percent in 2025 from 18.8 percent in 2022. This trend reflects broader changes in family formation, with cohabitation becoming a practical arrangement influenced by economic realities and changing social norms.
This shift is also evident in birth statistics, with 842,728 births outside marriage in 2023 compared to 605,794 births among formally married couples. Bersales stressed the need for government policies to adapt to these changing family arrangements while ensuring protection and access to services for families.
While adolescent marriages have declined over the past decade, the CPD remains concerned about the long-term effects of child marriage on education, health, and future opportunities. In 2024, 3.2 percent of registered marriages involved adolescents. Republic Act No. 11596, prohibiting child marriage, underlines the government's commitment to protecting Filipino children and ensuring they have the opportunity to realize their full potential.
