VIC: The Garden State becomes the Unwed State

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-1998
VIC: The Garden State becomes the Unwed State

By Alan Gale

MELBOURNE, Dec 18 AAP - Victoria has become Australia's unwed state, according to figures
released today by the Bureau of Statistics.

In an across-the-board snapshot of the state's population trends titled Demography Victoria
1997, the bureau also found there are more bastards in the state than ever before.

However, there has been a slight decrease in divorces.

"Victoria recorded the lowest marriage rate this century," the report said.

"There were 25,456 marriages registered in Victoria, a slight decrease of 2.4 per cent
over 1996.

"The 1997 marriage rate, at 5.5 per 1,000 population, was the lowest rate recorded this
century with the highest rate being 12.1 per 1,000 population in 1942 during World War II.

"The median age at marriage has been increasing steadily for several years for both men and
women and in 1997 stood at 29.6 years of age for the bridegroom and 27.5 years of age for the
bride.

"There were 12,463 divorces granted in Victoria in 1997, a 0.2 per cent decrease over
1996," it said.

The report is an analysis of 1997 registrations of births, deaths, marriages and divorces.

It also found the fathers are becoming more responsible, and mothers are getting older.

"The proportion of ex-nuptial births increased slightly from 1996, and is now 22.3 per cent
of all births compared to 13.8% in 1987.

"However, for 87.5 per cent of these births, paternity was acknowledged, up from 74.5 per
cent a decade ago.

"The median age of mothers has increased to 30.0 years in 1997, compared to 28.2 years in
1987," it said.

According to the bureau, Victoria recorded a population growth rate of 1.0 per cent in 1997
which was just below the national growth rate of 1.1 per cent, but its residents are among the
longest living.

"The median age at death rose for both males (from 71.9 years in 1987 to 74.7 years in
1997) and females (from 79.0 years in 1987 to 81.4 years in 1997).

"These were the second highest recorded, in 1997, for men and women across all Australian
States and Territories," it said.

AAP ag/jlw/it

KEYWORD: WEDDINGS

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