Why More Filipinos Are Choosing Live-In Relationships Instead of Marriage

The number of registered marriages in the Philippines has significantly declined over the past decade, while more couples are choosing to live-in or live together without getting married, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

From 2014 to 2024, registered marriages dropped by 13.5%, falling from 429,723 to 371,825. PSA Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande said one of the biggest reasons for the decline was the COVID-19 pandemic, as lockdowns and restrictions delayed or prevented many weddings from taking place.

Aside from the pandemic, the PSA also pointed to economic challenges, changing lifestyles, and shifting personal preferences as major factors behind the trend. Many younger Filipinos are choosing to postpone marriage or are deciding not to marry at all, with some preferring long-term live-in arrangements instead.

Despite the decline in marriages, the average age of people getting married has remained fairly consistent. Women typically marry at around 28 years old, while men usually marry at around 30. February continues to be the most popular month for weddings, recording an average of 46,130 marriage ceremonies each year, while November has the fewest, with about 20,368 ceremonies annually.

The growing preference for live-in relationships is also reflected in national census data. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing cited by the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), about 12.66 million Filipinos were living in common-law relationships, including 6.36 million men and 6.30 million women.

This shift in family arrangements has also influenced birth statistics. Based on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics data for 2023, around 842,000 babies were born to unmarried parents, exceeding the 605,000 births recorded among married couples. The figures highlight changing family patterns in the Philippines, where more Filipinos are choosing alternatives to traditional marriage because of financial concerns, personal choices, and evolving social norms.