Davao Region Wedding Trends: 56 Daily Marriages Amid Decade-Long Decline
Wedding bells chimed an average of 56 times each day across the Davao Region in 2024, yet the overall number of marriages persisted in a slow, steady decline that has spanned the past decade. According to the latest civil registration data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), a total of 20,439 marriages were registered in the region last year. This translates to a crude marriage rate (CMR) of 3.6, equating to roughly four marriages for every 1,000 individuals. While thousands of couples still opted to formalize their unions, the figure reflects an 8.9-percent decrease over the past ten years, dropping from 22,431 in 2015 to 20,439 in 2024.
Fluctuating Marriage Registrations Over the Years
The data reveals that marriage registrations experienced notable fluctuations between 2015 and 2024. Starting at 22.4 thousand in 2015, the number slightly dipped to 20.8 thousand in 2016 before rising to 21.9 thousand in 2017 and peaking at 23.3 thousand in 2018. Registrations then declined again to 21.9 thousand in 2019.
A significant drop was recorded in 2020, when only 13.6 thousand marriages were registered—the lowest in the ten-year period. This year was marked by restrictions on gatherings and mobility, which severely impacted wedding ceremonies and other social events. However, marriage registrations rebounded in 2021 with 22.0 thousand and further increased to 23.9 thousand in 2022, the highest recorded during the period. The number slightly declined to 22.4 thousand in 2023 before dropping further to 20.4 thousand in 2024.
Davao City Dominates Regional Wedding Statistics
Among the provinces and the highly urbanized city in the region, Davao City stood out prominently, recording 6,952 marriages, which accounts for approximately 34 percent of the regional total. This means, on average, there were 19 weddings in Davao City each day in 2024. In effect, one in every three weddings in the Davao Region took place within the city.
Trailing behind was Davao del Norte with 4,738 marriages, or 23.2 percent of the total, averaging around 13 marriages solemnized daily in the province. Mid-range figures were posted by Davao de Oro with 2,830 marriages (13.8%), Davao del Sur with 2,727 (13.3%), and Davao Oriental with 2,452 (12.0%). At the other end of the list, Davao Occidental registered the fewest marriages at 740, representing just 3.6 percent of the regional tally.
June Emerges as the Premier Wedding Month
June proved to be the most popular month for couples, with 2,825 marriages, equivalent to 13.8 percent of all weddings in 2024. The traditional wedding month maintained its enduring charm, outpacing December (10.4%) and September (8.5%). In contrast, March recorded the fewest marriages at 1,326, or 6.5 percent of the annual total.
Age and Gender Trends in Marriage
Marriage in the Davao Region continues to be most common among individuals in their late 20s. In 2024, the largest share of grooms—6,644 or 32.5%—were aged 25 to 29. An even larger proportion of brides—7,654 or 37.4%—were in the same age group.
Data also indicate that men tend to marry later than women. The median age at marriage was 31 for men and 28 for women. Notably, men aged 60 and above who married in 2024 outnumbered women in the same age bracket by more than three times, regardless of prior marital status.
Meanwhile, teenage marriages remain more common among girls than boys. There were 646 teenage brides, accounting for 3.2 percent of all brides and more than six times the number of teenage grooms. On average, two teenage girls were married each day in the region last year.
Civil Rites Remain the Top Choice for Ceremonies
Despite the region's strong religious traditions, civil ceremonies remained the most preferred form of marriage in 2024. A total of 7,628 marriages, or 37.3 percent, were solemnized through civil rites. Closely following were Roman Catholic ceremonies at 7,469 marriages (36.5%). Other religious ceremonies accounted for 4,159 marriages (20.3%). Marriages conducted under Muslim traditions comprised 3.1 percent of the total, while tribal ceremonies accounted for 2.7 percent.
A Shifting Marriage Landscape in the Region
While the Davao Region continues to witness tens of thousands of couples formalizing their unions each year, the gradual decline in registered marriages over the past decade suggests evolving social patterns. This shift may be influenced by a variety of factors, including economic considerations, changing life priorities, or evolving perspectives on family formation and relationships.
