Number of marriages increased in Belgium by 25% in 2021
Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, publishes today the figures on marriages, divorces and legal cohabitation. In 2021, figures on partnership recovered somewhat, whether in terms of a concluded commitment or divorce, but without reaching pre Covid-19 levels.
In 2021, 40,836 marriages were performed, a notable increase of 25% compared to 2020. However, there were still a lot fewer marriages in 2021 than in 2019.
The number of divorces saw only a slight increase compared to Covid year 2020 and is slightly lower than in 2019, which is in line with the downward trend of the past decade.
In 2021, 37,768 couples entered into legal cohabitation. This is a slight increase of 4% compared to 2020, but still far below the level of 2019.
There were relatively more couples ending their legal cohabitation (+12%), but again this remains well below the 2019 level.
In 2021, 41,885 people lost their spouses, becoming widows or widowers. The number of people who have become a widow(er) fell by 7.3% compared to Covid-19 year 2020.
