Number of straight and same-sex marriages in the Netherlands 2001-2022

In 2022, there were 68,900 heterosexual marriages and 1,700 same-sex marriages. By comparison, in 2021 there were 55,200 heterosexual marriages, and 1,200 same-sex marriages. The number of same-sex marriages stayed relatively consistent from 2009 to 2022, with the fewest in 2020 and the most in 2001. The number of heterosexual marriages also remained stable between 2009 and 2019, with the highest in 2002 and the fewest in 2019 as a consequence of the coronavirus (COVID-19) oandemic.

Why were there fewer marriages in 2020?

There was a sudden drop in the number of marriages in the Netherlands in 2020, both for heterosexual and same-sex marriages. The primary reason for the fall in marriages was the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, making it difficult to host a wedding safely and within the restrictions, resulting in many weddings being postponed and canceled. While there were fewer weddings, the number of registered partnerships stayed relatively the same, possibly because they are less likely to host large gatherings of people than a traditional wedding.

How did the Netherlands compare to the rest of Europe?

The Netherlands was not the only country to experience a significant drop in marriages in Europe. Other European countries such as Italy, Norway, and France saw considerable declines in the number of weddings in 2020 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and each government’s restrictions.