In 2021, there were 55,227 heterosexual marriages and 1,192 same-sex marriages. By comparison, in 2020 there were 49,119 heterosexual marriages, and 1,114 same-sex marriages. The number of same-sex marriages stayed relatively consistent from 2009 to 2019, with the fewest in 2013 and the most in 2018. The number of heterosexual marriages also remained stable between 2009 and 2019, with the highest in 2010 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.
Number of heterosexual and same-sex marriages in the Netherlands from 2009 to 2021
Same-sex marriage was legalized in the Netherlands on April 1, 2001. In this regard, the Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize the same-sex marriage.
This statistic combines data provided by the source to show the total number of same-sex marriages. For a breakdown of this data by gender, please see the statistic on the number of same-sex marriages in the Netherlands, by gender.
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Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek. (June 9, 2022). Number of heterosexual and same-sex marriages in the Netherlands from 2009 to 2021 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 04, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/520171/number-of-straight-vs-same-sex-marriages-in-the-netherlands/
Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek. "Number of heterosexual and same-sex marriages in the Netherlands from 2009 to 2021." Chart. June 9, 2022. Statista. Accessed July 04, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/520171/number-of-straight-vs-same-sex-marriages-in-the-netherlands/
Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek. (2022). Number of heterosexual and same-sex marriages in the Netherlands from 2009 to 2021. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 04, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/520171/number-of-straight-vs-same-sex-marriages-in-the-netherlands/
Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek. "Number of Heterosexual and Same-sex Marriages in The Netherlands from 2009 to 2021." Statista, Statista Inc., 9 Jun 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/520171/number-of-straight-vs-same-sex-marriages-in-the-netherlands/
Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, Number of heterosexual and same-sex marriages in the Netherlands from 2009 to 2021 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/520171/number-of-straight-vs-same-sex-marriages-in-the-netherlands/ (last visited July 04, 2022)
