Sweden consistently ranks as having one of the highest average ages for marriage, with recent data showing it around 34-35 years old, often leading global statistics for both men and women, though specific rankings can vary slightly by data source and year, with Nordic countries generally leading. Other countries like Denmark, Iceland, and Spain also feature high averages, reflecting trends in developed nations where higher education and cohabitation often delay marriage.
The highest marriage age in Asia could be found in South Korea at 31.5 years for women and almost 34 years for men. This was topped by the highest male marriage age in Africa, however, which exists in Namibia at 34.3 years and is similar to that of South Africa.
In almost every European country, men are over 30 when they get married. In Sweden (37.5), Spain (36.9), Norway (36.9) and France (36.0) the average is over 36. It seems that the further west one goes in Europe, the higher the average age.
In one country (Sudan), boys may be married at 10, in one (Lebanon) they can be married at 13, in 14 (7 percent) they can be married between 14 and 15 years old, and in another 41 countries (21 percent) they may be married at 16 or 17 (see Figure 3).
In contrast, the lowest annual marriage rates are found in Qatar, French Guiana, and Peru. Not only do these countries have the lowest marriage rates, but have also some of the world's lowest divorce rates.
Filipino girls are known for all their loyalty and commitment for their partners. They also have a strong perception of relatives loyalty. Their particular values will be rooted in the theories of Betty Clara. This will make them suitable candidates for matrimony.
Who Can Get Married in Japan? Article 731 to 737 of the Japanese Civil Code stipulates the following requirements: The male partner must be 18 years of age or older and the female partner must be 18 years of age or older.
If couples marry at legal minimum ages, the built-in gap is 3 years. In urban India, gaps of 0–5 years are widely considered acceptable, while 4–11 years is also common in arranged setups. Gaps larger than 12 years are rare in urban society and often frowned upon.
Alfonso VIII of Castile (aged 14/15) married Eleanor of England in 1170, when she was about 9-years-old.
The "5 to 7 rule" in France, or le cinq à sept, traditionally refers to a secret, after-work rendezvous (5 PM to 7 PM) with a lover for an illicit sexual encounter before returning home to family, but it's also used more broadly for discreet romantic meetings or even just a casual happy hour, though its meaning varies by region, with Québec using it more for social gatherings than affairs.
Most people have a positive opinion of this major change in the process. Today, roughly 45% of marriages in France end in divorce, and over 55% of these couples choose this new, simpler process of divorce by mutual consent. It's also interesting to note that women initiate 75% of divorce proceedings in France.
A civil wedding ceremony is the only legally binding type of ceremony in France. It has to take place in a town hall (mairie), in a room open to the public. You can also have a wedding ceremony in France after marrying in the UK, but you'll need to provide a marriage certificate first.
“The ideal age to get married, with the least likelihood of divorce in the first five years, is 28 to 32,” says Carrie Krawiec, a marriage and family therapist at Birmingham Maple Clinic in Troy, Michigan.
Marriage Rates by Country 2025
There is no minimum age for marriage specified in the Qur'an or hadith but there are references that call for an individual to reach the age of psychological maturity and responsibility – which is at some point beyond puberty - when entering into any serious contractual agreement.
The 2-2-2 rule for marriage is a guideline to keep a relationship strong and connected: have a date night every two weeks, a weekend getaway every two months, and a week-long vacation every two years. This system encourages regular, intentional quality time, breaks from routine, and deeper connection by ensuring couples prioritize each other amidst daily life, work, and family, preventing stagnation and fostering fun.
The 777 rule for marriage is a relationship guideline to keep couples connected by scheduling specific, regular quality time: a date night every 7 days, a night away (getaway) every 7 weeks, and a romantic holiday every 7 months, often without kids, to foster intimacy, reduce stress, and prevent routine from overtaking the relationship. It's about consistent, intentional efforts to prioritize the partnership.
But it does provide some rough guidelines as to how soon may be too soon to make long-term commitments and how long may be too long to stick with a relationship. Each of the three numbers—three, six, and nine—stands for the month that a different common stage of a relationship tends to end.
The male partner must be 18 years of age or older and the female partner must be 16 years of age or older. In addition, for Americans, you must be able to legally marry in your home state; if the legal age of marriage at home is 18, you cannot marry earlier than that in Japan.
Countries with the Highest Average Age of Marriage.
In Japan, turning 20 is significant because it marks the transition into adulthood, granting legal rights such as voting, drinking alcohol, and smoking. The tradition dates back to at least the 8th century, although its modern form was established in 1948 when it became a national holiday.
France had a divorce rate of 55 per 100 marriages in 2020. A number which was not one of the highest in Europe, but that emphasizes the fact that in recent years, divorce is a phenomenon with a significant impact on Western countries.
In countries like Japan and Italy, there is a cultural disdain for infidelity, meaning men from these regions are more likely to remain faithful. If loyalty is a priority for you, choosing a country with strong cultural norms around fidelity can lead to a more secure marriage.
Sri Lanka: 0.15 Divorces per 1,000 People (Updated 2023)
According to Statista, Sri Lanka has the lowest divorce rate in the world at the moment and this is based on statistics from 2020 onwards.