Living together first: how cohabitation became the path to marriage
In short
Yes. ONS data show that more than nine in ten couples who married in England and Wales in 2021 or 2022 had lived together first. Among opposite-sex couples the share was about 90% in 2022, up from 59.6% in 1994. Even for religious ceremonies it reached 83.7%, against 91.3% for civil ceremonies.
What the full article will cover
- How many couples live together before marrying?
- How has the share changed since the 1990s?
- Do religious and civil weddings differ?
- Why has premarital cohabitation become the norm?
- How have churches adapted?
Frequently asked questions
- Does living together first make divorce more likely?
- How long do couples usually live together before marrying?
- Do same-sex couples also cohabit before marrying?
- Do Scottish figures show the same pattern?
Sources
- ons.gov.uk — https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/marriagecohabitationandcivilpartnerships/bulletins/marriagesinenglandandwalesprovisional/2021and2022
- ons.gov.uk — https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/families/bulletins/familiesandhouseholds/2024
General information, not legal or religious advice.