Fewer Czech couples are walking down the aisle, with 2023 marking the second-lowest number of marriages recorded since the nation of Czechoslovakia was founded back in 1918, new government data reveals.
According to the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ), just 44,486 weddings were registered last year—barely scraping past the all-time low in 2013. It’s a stark contrast to the mini marriage boom of 2019, when nearly 55,000 couples tied the knot.
But it’s not all doom and gloom for love. Divorce rates are on a downward trend, with fewer than 21,000 marriages ending in separation last year. That’s a significant dip from over 26,000 divorces a decade ago. Analysts at the ČSÚ noted that people who’ve divorced tend to remarry quickly, but the likelihood of remarrying fades the longer they remain single.
Interestingly, marriage may bring more than just companionship. Statistics show married individuals in Czechia have notably lower mortality rates than their single, divorced, or widowed peers—although, the report adds, that’s partly because those with serious health conditions are less likely to marry in the first place.
As for tying the knot, Czechs are taking their sweet time. The average age for first-time grooms rose to 32.7 in 2023, while brides were, on average, 30.6 years old. That delay is linked to shifting economic realities and evolving social norms, as young adults prioritize careers and personal goals over early marriage.
The age gap between spouses remains consistent, with the groom being older in about two-thirds of unions over the last five years. Meanwhile, marriages tend to last roughly 13.5 years before ending in divorce. Those aged 45 to 49—born during the country’s ‘70s baby boom—make up the bulk of divorcees, though under-25s have the highest rate of breakups proportionally.
One rising trend? Cross-border love. A record 15% of marriages last year involved a Czech national marrying someone from abroad, with Slovaks making up the largest group of foreign spouses. This reflects growing international mobility and cultural exchange in the country.
So while fewer are saying “I do,” those who do are taking their time—and increasingly doing so across borders.
