MARRIAGE STATISTICS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30171, 1 July 1963, Page 6

MARRIAGE STATISTICS

Census Shows

Changes The proportion of married persons in New Zealand increased between 1966 and 1961 at the expense, generally, of the “never married" group, says the Government Statistician, giving details of tlie 1961 census of populn* tion. The tendency of couples to marry early would have an effect on this, the report says. A contributing factor to the decrease in the proportion of the “never married” group is the lower numbers of children born in the early 19305. The age group 25-29 years inclusive is affected, the total numbers here decreasing by 8608 (22.6 per cent.) between 1956 and 1961.

The greatest increase was in the age group 16-24 years classed as “never married " However, the whole of tins age group (married or never married) is affected, the total having risen from 234.307 in 1956 to 302.487 in 1961. an advance of 48,180, or 18 9 per cent., refloating mainly the increased numbers of children bom in the years 1937-43.

The proportion of widowa increased from 10.9 to 11.1 per cent., and the proportion of widowers decreased from 3 8 per cent, to 3.5 per cent This preponderance of widows can, in Large part, be accounted for by the fact that a woman's expectancy of life is on the average five years greater than a man's and also that a larger proportion of widowers remarry than widows