Number of marriages decreases in Brussels

In 2018, 45,059 marriages were celebrated in Belgium, which means 1.7% more than the previous year, according to figures released by Statbel on Monday. It is Flanders that pulls the increase of marriages in Belgium, notes Statbel. Marriages increased by 2.1% compared to 2017, while their number was more stable in Wallonia (+ 0.4%) and slightly decreased in Brussels (-0.6%).

Statbel also indicates that people usually marry in their thirties and that the age difference within the couple is of 2.4 years on average.

If the number of marriages has increased, the number of divorce stays fairly stable with 23,135 registered in 2018 (+ 0.3%). On the other hand, legal cohabitation decreases by 4.4%. However, marriage remains the primary cause of legal cohabitation, says Statbel.

Finally, the duration of the marriage before divorce does not fluctuate and is still about 15 years of life together.