Registered marriages down by 3.8 percent in 2023

In Davao City, a total of 7,692 marriages were registered in 2023, a 3.8 percent decrease compared to 2022’s figure at 7,995 marriages. It is noted that on average there are 641 marriages that occur every month.

For the past decade, it registered an average marriage of 6,767. The highest record of marriages happened in 2022 at 7,995 in the city (Figure 1).
 

Most marriages occurred in June

In 2023, June recorded the highest number of registered marriages with 943 or 29.7 percent of the total marriages in the city. The month of July ranked second with 784 (24.7% share), followed by the month of December with 724 (22.8% share). On the other hand, the month of November had the least number of registered marriages with 418 (13.2% share).

In terms of daily averages, the months of January, February, June, July, August, September, and December recorded higher daily average compared to the yearly average of 21 marriages per day. Meanwhile, the month of November had the lowest daily average of 14 marriages per day (Figure 3). 
 

Majority of couples were married between ages 25 to 29 years old

Of the total number of registered marriages in the city, about 71.5 percent of brides and grooms aged 25 to 29 years old. Almost one in three men (2,528 or 32.9% share) married at these ages, and nearly 39 percent of women (2,972 or 38.6% share) were of the same age group.

In 2023, the median age of marriage was 30.0 years old for women and 31.4 years old for men.

The number of men who were over 50 years of age (380 or 4.9% share) was higher than the number of women of the same age group (138 or 1.8% share) (Figure 3). 
 

Couples preferred to marry in Roman Catholic church

Out of the total marriages registered in the city, about 34.3 percent or 2,640 marriages were solemnized in the Roman Catholic. It was followed by marriages solemnized through Civil ceremony with 2,578 marriages or 33.5 percent.

There were also around 23.5 percent or 1,809 marriages which were solemnized through Other religious rites. Also, Tribal ceremony and Muslim tradition recorded minimal number at 303 marriages or 3.9 percent and 362 marriages or 4.7 percent, respectively. (Figure 5)
 

TECHNICAL NOTES

Vital Statistics is defined as information obtained at the time when the occurrences of vital events and their characteristics are inscribed in civil register.

Marriage is a contract of permanent union between a man and a woman entered into in accordance with law for the establishment of conjugal and family life.

Approved for Release:

ADELINE G. BATUCAN
(Supervising Statistical Specialist)
Officer-In-Charge
Davao del Sur Provincial Statistical Office