Press release 16.09.11
92% of weddings that took place during the first quarter of 2011 were civil ceremonies
The number of weddings fell by 11% in comparison with the same period in 2010
A total of 928 weddings took place in the Basque Country during the first quarter of 2011, a fall of 43% in comparison with the fourth quarter of 2010 (1,617 weddings) and 11% fewer than in the first quarter of 2010 (1,042 weddings), according to Eustat data. Traditionally, the year's first quarter is notable for a lack of weddings, particularly the months of January and February.
As in previous years, the majority (92%) of weddings during this quarter were civil ceremonies. This figure represents an increase of 4.6% in comparison with the same period in 2010. Increases were registered in each of the three Provinces, with civil ceremonies accounting for 92% of weddings in Araba/Álava, 93.2% in Bizkaia and 90.2% in Gipuzkoa.
The 928 weddings that took place during the first quarter of 2011 involved 892 male and 895 female residents of the Basque Country. A total of 775 (86.9%) men were getting married for the first time, while 9 widowers and 108 divorcees were deciding to remarry. The number of women getting married for the first time was slightly lower than the number of men, with 755 (84.4%) first-time brides, 4 widows and 136 divorcees.
In terms of age and gender distribution, 85.2% of the men were over 30, while this figure dropped to 78.5% for women. The figure for men represents a fall of 1.5% in comparison with the same period in 2010, when 86.7% of grooms were over 30. However, the same statistic for women represents an increase of 3.7% over the same quarter last year, when 74.8% of brides were over 30.
Of the couples getting married during the first quarter of 2011, 17.2% of men and 14.7% of women were of foreign nationality. The figure for women fell in comparison with the same period in 2010, when the number of newlywed foreign women reached 18.1%, while the figure for men increased by 3.3% (11.4% in 2010).
A total of 31 same-sex weddings took place during the first quarter of 2011, exactly the same amount as in the same period in 2010. Of these weddings, 21 were between men and 10 were between women.
For further information:
Basque Statistics Office
C/ Donostia-San Sebastián, 1 01010 Vitoria-Gasteiz
Tel: +34-945-01 75 00 Fax:+34-945-01 75 01 E-mail: eustat@eustat.es
Contact: Martín González Hernández
Tel:+34-945-01 75 49 Fax:+34-945-01 75 01
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