Registered marriages down by 2.4 percent in 2023

In Davao del Sur, a total of 3,173 marriages were registered in 2023, a 2.4 percent decrease compared to 2022’s figure at 3,251 marriages. It is noted that on average there are 264 marriages that occur every month.

For the past decade, it registered an average marriage of 2,821. The highest record of marriages happened in 2014 at 3,324 in the province (Figure 1). 
 

Registered marriages highest in Digos City

Among the ten (10) city and municipalities in the province, City of Digos recorded the highest number of registered marriages with 987 or 31.1 percent of the total marriages. The municipality of Santa Cruz recorded the second highest number of marriages with 761 (24.0% share) followed by Bansalan with 261 (8.2% share). These three city and municipalities comprised nearly 63.3 percent of the total registered marriages in the province.

On the other hand, the municipality of Sulop had the lowest number of registered marriages with only 117 or 3.7 percent of the total marriages in the province (Figure 2).
 

Most marriages occurred in March

In 2023, March recorded the highest number of registered marriages with 345 or 10.9 percent of the total marriages in the province. The month of January ranked second with 324 marriages (10.2% share), followed by the month of June with 317 marriages (10.0% share). On the other hand, the month of November had the least number of registered marriages with 186 (5.9% share).

In terms of daily average, the months of January, February, March, June, August, and September recorded higher daily average compared to the yearly average of

9 marriages per day. Meanwhile, the month of November had the lowest daily average of 6 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 province, about 74.5 percent of brides and grooms belonged to aged 25 to 29 years old. Around one in three men (1,176 or 35.1% share) married at these ages, and nearly 39 percent of women (1,229 or 38.7% share) were of the same age group. In 2023, the median age of marriage was 27.6 years old for women and 29.7 years old for men.

The number of men who were over 50 years of age (131 or 4.1% share) was higher than the number of women of the same age group (70 or 2.2% share) (Figure 4). 
 

Couples preferred to marry in civil ceremony

Out of the total marriages registered in the province, about 35.6 percent or 1,131 marriages were solemnized in the Civil ceremony. It was followed by marriages solemnized through Roman Catholic with 1,002 marriages or 31.6 percent.

There were also around 27.6 percent or 875 marriages which were solemnized through Other religious rites. Also, Tribal ceremony and Muslim tradition recorded minimal number at 50 marriages or 1.6 percent and 115 marriages or 3.6 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