The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported last month that the marriage rate is declining, and I, a happily married gen Xer, think it's great news. The crude rate of registered marriages per 1,000 residents aged 16 and over fell from 5.5 in 2024 to 5.3 in 2025, with the largest declines among those aged 25-29 and 30-34. This trend signals that Australia is a progressive nation where individuals have the freedom to make the best decisions for their own lives, including the choice to marry or not.
Divorce Rates Rise Slightly
The ABS data also shows that divorces granted rose by 4.1%, with the crude divorce rate increasing from 2.1 to 2.2 per 1,000 residents. While relationship breakdowns are always painful, the ability to divorce is a crucial right. It wasn't long ago that Australian law forced people in unhappy or dysfunctional marriages to stay together unless they met narrow legal criteria. Before the 'no-fault' divorce framework was introduced in 1975, couples often resorted to practices like 'staged adultery' to meet evidence thresholds, involving hotel rooms, photographers, and private detectives.
Why Lower Marriage Rates Are Positive
Even better than being able to leave an unhappy marriage is not entering one in the first place. The decline in marriage rates, especially among younger cohorts, is a sign of progress. Demographers have suggested that the expensive property market keeps the divorce rate 'unnaturally low' because splitting up is too costly. While financial concerns play a role, Nick Tebbey from Relationships Australia noted, 'people are more aware going into long-term relationships these days of who they are and what they expect out of it, so they are only making a commitment to marriage when they feel genuinely ready.'
Gen Z: The Sensible Generation?
Gen Z often faces criticism from older generations for being lazy, entitled, or fragile. However, the ABS data suggests they might be the 'sensible generation.' Their habit of delaying marriage is accompanied by lower teen birthrates and lower rates of alcohol use. Their recorded anxiety and loneliness might stem from being able to admit and address these issues, rather than being overwhelmed by exploitative jobs, unplanned parenthood, or relationships they can't escape.
Historical Context: Marriage Ages and Divorce Peaks
As a gen Xer, I've seen the consequences of marrying too young. In the mid-1970s, the median age for a first marriage was 23-24 for men and 21-22 for women. After Australia's 'no-fault divorce' legislation took effect in 1976, divorce rates peaked at more than double today's numbers, as couples finally escaped youthful mistakes. Since then, the median marriage age has risen to 31 for men and 30 for women.
Marriage as a Choice, Not an Obligation
Young adults today have the freedom to choose from various relationship structures—marriage, cohabitation, living apart together, or even being single—without social pressure. This liberalisation allows them to make decisions based on self-knowledge rather than expectation. Gen Z should celebrate their good judgment, and marriage advocates should recognize that marriage hasn't been rejected; it has been chosen.
