The research from The Marriage Foundation, using the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, reveals the ongoing sharp decline in marriage rates with cohabitation on the rise. Only five per cent of men and 10 per cent of women aged 25 are married, compared with 60 per cent of men and 80 per cent of women in 1970. Commenting on the research, Charles Russell family lawyer Charlotte Posnansky said that in recent years, there has been a 'much greater' increase in pre-marital arrangements, including among younger couples who are marrying at a young age who may not have significant wealth behind them. 'One may hope that, with a large proportion of couples choosing to marry within five years of cohabiting, it is simply that romance is still alive and strong.'

Rise in marriage in 2011

The number of marriages in England and Wales rose 5.3 per cent from 2011 to 2012, according to the Office of National Statistics. According to ONS, the greatest number of marriages was for men and women ages 25 to 29. The mean marriage in 2012 was 36.5 years for men and 34.0 years for women, increasing by almost eight years for both men and women since 1972.