Family crisis in Azerbaijan: the number of marriages has dropped nearly twofold in 14 years, while divorces have increased by 92%

In 2025, 48,546 marriages and 20,675 divorces were registered in Azerbaijan, and the average age of marriage continues to rise compared to previous years. The downward trend in the number of marriages in the country persists, and experts are increasingly speaking of a systemic crisis of the institution of family.

As reported by BAKU.WS with reference to Oxu.Az, last year 48,546 marriages were registered in the country — 962 fewer marriages, or 1.9% less than the year before. Excluding the anomalous pandemic year of 2020, when quarantine restrictions paralyzed public life, last year's figure was the lowest since 2003.

The number of divorces in 2025 was 20,675 — 709 cases, or 3.3%, fewer than in 2024. However, this slight decrease should not be misleading: the long-term dynamics paint an entirely different picture.

14 years — and a different reality: marriages decreased by 45%, divorces nearly doubled

When analyzing long-term statistics, the scale of changes becomes truly dramatic. In 2011, 88,145 marriages were registered in Azerbaijan. In 2025, this figure was 39,599 lower, representing a decline of 44.9%. The country has effectively lost almost half of its weddings in a decade and a half.

The number of divorces over the same period changed in the exact opposite direction. If 10,747 divorces were recorded in 2011, by 2025 their number reached 20,675. Thus, over 14 years, the number of dissolved marriages grew by 92.4% — nearly doubling.

The marriage rate — the number of marriages per every thousand people — also demonstrates a steady decline. In 2011 it was 9.7, and by 2025 it dropped to 4.7 — more than a twofold decrease. The divorce rate, on the contrary, rose from 1.2 to 2.0 per 1,000 people.

Azerbaijanis have started forming families later

Another notable trend is the increase in the average age of marriage. In 2000, the average age of a bride was 23.6 years, and of a groom — 28.4 years. By 2025, these figures had risen to 25.1 and 30.1 years respectively.

The average age of those marrying for the first time also increased: for women — from 23.1 years in 2000 to 24.1 years in 2025, for men — from 27.3 to 28.7 years. Young people increasingly prefer to first obtain an education, build a career, and achieve financial independence before committing to family ties.

Which marriages break down most often?

The distribution of divorces by duration of marriage creates a very telling picture. Of the 20,675 divorces registered in 2025, the largest share — 7,354 cases — fell on marriages that lasted from 10 to 19 years. This accounts for 35.6% of the total number of dissolved marriages.

In marriages lasting less than five years, 5,795 divorces were recorded, in marriages lasting from five to nine years — 4,845. Another 2,681 divorces involved couples who had lived together for 20 or more years. Thus, in percentage terms, the picture looks as follows:

- 28% of dissolved marriages lasted less than 5 years;

- 23.4% — from 5 to 9 years;

- 35.6% — from 10 to 19 years;

- 13% — 20 years and more.

Profile of divorcing couples: who dissolves marriages more often?

By age distribution among women, the highest number of divorces was recorded in the