Italy Marriage Rates Decline 6.7 Percent

Marriage ceremonies in Italy have decreased by 6.7 percent compared to the previous year. The decline is most pronounced in religious weddings, which are being increasingly replaced by civil ceremonies. Civil marriages now account for nearly 60 percent of all unions in the country. Analysts suggest the trend is driven by the high cost and scale of traditional Italian weddings, which often involve over 100 guests. Most weddings traditionally occur during the spring or June months. Large-scale wedding events involving over 100 guests are common in Catholic regions during spring and summer. Approximately 24,000 euros are spent per wedding, excluding honeymoon and engagement ring costs. One in four marriages is now a second or subsequent marriage. The number of same-sex partnerships increased by more than 7 percent in 2023, totaling over 3,000 cases, primarily in the Milan region.