According to the latest Marriages and Divorces, 2023 report by Statistics South Africa, the median age for civil marriages has steadily climbed over the past decade. In 2014, grooms typically married at 35 and brides at 31. Fast forward to 2023, and those numbers have shifted to 38 for men and 34 for women.

It’s a subtle but telling change — one that signals a move away from traditional timelines and towards something more personal. Careers, financial stability, and personal growth are taking priority, with marriage becoming less about age and more about readiness.

Fewer weddings, bigger meaning

It’s not just when people are getting married — it’s how many are choosing to do so at all.

In 2023, South Africa recorded 105 123 marriages and unions, including civil, customary, and civil unions. Civil marriages alone dropped from 150 852 in 2014 to 99 289 in 2023, a significant 34,2% decline.

This doesn’t necessarily mean love is fading. If anything, it suggests couples are becoming more intentional. Marriage is no longer seen as a default step into adulthood, but rather a conscious decision.

Age gaps and evolving norms

While modern love may be more flexible, some traditions remain. In 2023, the majority of marriages still involved older grooms — 75,2% in civil unions and an even higher 87,1% in customary marriages.

At the same time, the age bracket for brides is shifting upward. Where women once commonly married between 25 and 29, the new norm sits between 30 and 34, another clear sign that timelines are changing.

While this shift may feel unfamiliar to older generations, it could signal something positive. Today’s couples are choosing readiness over routine, prioritising emotional maturity, financial stability, and personal growth before saying “I do.” Tradition will always have its place, but modern love is proving that the right timing is just as important.