4-12-2023 (MANILA) December, February, and April emerged as the most popular months for couples to tie the knot in the Philippines, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
In 2022, December took the lead as the preferred month for marriages, with 55,599 registered unions, making up 12.4 percent of the total marriages in the country. February followed closely behind with 52,426 marriages, accounting for 11.7 percent of the total, while April secured the third spot with 44,600 marriages, representing 9.9 percent. Conversely, November recorded the fewest number of registered marriages, with just 23,862.
The PSA reported a total of 449,428 marriages in 2022, reflecting a significant increase of 25.9 percent compared to the previous year. When compared to pre-pandemic figures, there was a 4 percent rise in marriages from 2019 to 2022.
While the PSA did not provide a specific explanation for the popularity of December weddings among Filipinos, analysts suggest that the cool weather and the long Christmas holiday season could be contributing factors. Many Filipinos take advantage of this time to gather with loved ones and hold annual reunions, making it an opportune period for celebrations and weddings.
The data also revealed that the majority of couples in the country choose to marry between the ages of 25 and 29. In 2022, the median age for men to get married was 30 years old, while for women, it was 28 years old.
Regarding the type of wedding ceremonies, civil ceremonies were the preferred choice among couples in the Philippines. In 2022, 43.3 percent of registered marriages were conducted through civil ceremonies, marking a 3.7 percentage point increase from the previous year.
Approximately one-third of all marriages in 2022 were solemnized in the Roman Catholic Church, while one in four were performed in other religious rites. Marriages following Muslim traditions accounted for 1 percent of the total registered marriages, and 0.8 percent were conducted through tribal ceremonies.
