For Better or Worse? Filipinos Are Getting Married Later in Life, CPD Data Shows
The typical couple is now getting married closer to 30.
by Anna Pineda
Published on Jul 8, 2026
(SPOT.ph) Marriage may still be a major milestone for many Filipinos, but it is no longer something everyone rushes into early. The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) found that many Filipinos are tying the knot at a more mature age.
The numbers make it pretty clear. In 2015, the typical age at which men tied the knot was 28, and for women, 26. In 2024, both went up by two years: 30 for men and 28 for women.
“The increase in the median age at marriage suggests that many Filipinos are entering marriage later in life, reflecting changing educational, employment and economic circumstances,” CPD said.
This later-marriage trend comes as fewer Filipinos are getting formally married in the first place. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data from the past 10 years show that formal marriages declined by 13.5%, from 429,723 in 2014 to 371,825 in 2024.
Also read: Growing Number of Filipinas Prefer Live-In Over Marriage
Marriage patterns in the Philippines
The weddings that do happen still follow some familiar patterns. Unsurprisingly, CBD found that the most populated regions also recorded the most marriages, with Calabarzon leading at 15% of the total. This is followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) at 13% and Central Luzon at 11%.
February was the most popular month for weddings, with 46,130 marriages (12.4%), while November had the fewest, with 20,368 marriages (5.5%).
The same study revealed that civil weddings (41.8%) continue to outnumber church weddings (31.7%).
Ultimately, the decision to delay the wedding date may come down to several reasons: financial security, career timing, or simply making sure the person is someone they actually want to build a life with.
That practical streak may also be showing up in how more Filipinos view living together. In 2025, the National Demographic and Health Survey reported that the share of women (aged 15 to 49) who prefer cohabitation increased to 20.5%, compared with 18.8% in 2022. It may also point to how many Filipinos are putting their finances first, with living together often seen as “less expensive” than a formal marriage.
Also read: AFAM Supremacy? Data Shows More Filipinos Are Marrying Foreigners
Anna is a dog mom of two and a passionate champion for the voiceless. Her life goal is to see the world's horizons and leave it better than she found it.