The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published statistics relating to civil partnerships in England and Wales for 2017. The statistics appear to show an increase in civil partnerships during the year.
A summary of the statistics is set out below:
- There were 908 civil partnerships formed in England and Wales in 2017, an increase of 2.0% compared with 2016; this is the second annual increase since the introduction of marriages of same-sex couples was announced in 2013.
- Almost two-thirds (66%) of all civil partnerships formed in 2017 were between men.
- The increase in the number of civil partnership formations between 2016 and 2017 resulted solely from an 8.0% rise (23 civil partnerships) in civil partnerships between women, civil partnership formation among men decreased by 0.8% (five civil partnerships).
- More than half (51%) of those entering a civil partnership in 2017 were aged 50 years and over; this compares with 19% in 2013, prior to the introduction of marriages of same-sex couples.
- In 2017, the average age of men forming a civil partnership (50.3 years) was higher than for women (49.5 years).
- London continued to be the most popular region for the formation of civil partnerships; 37% of all formations in England and Wales in 2017 took place in London.
- There were 1,217 civil partnership dissolutions granted in England and Wales in 2017, of these 57% were to female couples.
Nicola Haines of the Office for National Statistics, commented:
“Despite the introduction of marriages for same-sex couples in March 2014, the number of same-sex couples choosing to form civil partnerships has increased slightly for the second consecutive year. Almost two-thirds of couples entering into a civil partnership in 2017 were male and more than half of all civil partners were aged 50 years or above. However, our latest data on marriages from 2015 shows that male couples accounted for less than half of all marriages between same-sex couples while only 16% of those marrying a partner of the same-sex were aged 50 and over.”
How Nelsons Can Help
If you need any advice relating to civil partnership dissolution, pre-nuptial agreement’s, or have any other family law-related queries, please contact a member of our Family Law solicitors on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form. A member of our team will be happy to discuss your circumstances in more detail and give you more information about the services that we can provide.