Decline follows the introduction of same-sex marriage
Following the introduction of marriages of same sex couples in March 2014, the number of civil partnerships formed in England and Wales has fallen by 70% from 5,646 in 2013 to 1,683 in 2014. The decline in civil partnerships was disclosed in the latest figures produced by the Office for National Statistics.
The mean age of men forming a civil partnership in England and Wales in 2014 was 43.6 years, while for women it was 42.3 years, increasing by 3 years for men and 4 years for women since 2013. This is the largest annual increase in the mean age at formation since civil partnerships were introduced in 2005.
Over half (57%) of civil partnerships were between males in 2014; a change from 2013 when only 47% of partnerships were between males.
The number of civil partnership dissolutions granted in 2014 was 1,061, an increase of 8.9% since 2013.
The ONS Statistical Bulletin is here.
