In 2025, Singapore saw a 6.2% drop in the number of marriages compared to the previous year, continuing a multi-year downward trend influenced by changing societal norms and shifting personal priorities, according to the latest family trends report from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
- Marriages fall to 24,688 in 2025, down 6.2% from 2024
- Median age at first marriage rises to 31.1 for grooms, 29.6 for brides
- Family resilience scores improve, with over 90% reporting moderate to high strength
What happened
Singapore recorded 24,688 marriages in 2025, a decline of 6.2% from 26,328 the previous year, marking the third consecutive year of falling numbers. The number of civil marriages fell across all age groups, especially affecting those between 25 and 34 years old. Muslim marriages also saw a decrease, particularly among this same age group. The trend reflects a shift toward marrying later in life as societal norms and personal priorities evolve.
The median age at first marriage continues to climb, reaching 31.1 years for grooms and 29.6 years for brides in 2025, compared to 30.3 and 28.2 years respectively in 2015. Additionally, about 27.3% of citizen marriages involved a Singaporean paired with a non-resident, with most cases featuring Singaporean men marrying non-resident brides.
Why it feels good
Despite the decline in marriages, family resilience appears to be strengthening. A 2025 MSF survey found that 90.7% of families scored moderate to high on family resilience—a marked increase from 85.9% in 2023. These families show an ability to cope with challenges and bounce back from adversity, which supports better individual well-being and stronger community ties.
The survey also revealed positive marital quality indicators: nearly 95% of married respondents expressed happiness with their marriage, and 92.8% felt their relationship was progressing well. Most couples frequently confide in each other and rarely consider ending their marriage, highlighting enduring emotional support amid changing social landscapes.
What to enjoy or watch next
With marriage rates down but family resilience up, it will be interesting to see how partnership dynamics evolve in the coming years. Observers might watch for further trends in delayed marriage and how government policies, like paid paternity leave, influence familial roles and bonding.
The next MSF family trends report will likely shed light on marriage dissolution rates and whether newer couples maintain stronger unions. It will also explore how Singapore’s diverse family structures adapt in a society increasingly defined by later marriages and evolving expectations.