Key findings: P0307 - Marriages and Divorces, 2004

The overall number of officially recorded marriages in South Africa in 2004 was 176 521. This represented a decrease of 2 168 marriages as compared to 178 689 marriages recorded in 2003.

In 2004, a considerable number (92 933) of officially recorded marriages in 2003 were solemnised by civil rites. This constituted over a half (52,6%) of all officially recorded marriages. The number of officially recorded marriages solemnised through religious ceremonies was 55 992, which constituted 31,7% of all officially recorded marriages.

The total number of officially recorded divorces in 2004 was 31 768. This figure was higher than the 2003 divorces by 202. The modified crude divorce rate in South Africa for 2004 was 519,9 per 100 000 married couples.

In 2004, there were in total 29 597 minor children involved in divorce. This figure was lower than the figure observed in 2003 (33 389).