Marriage Rates Decline, Divorce Rates Rise in TRNC as People Marry Later

The number of marriages in Northern Cyprus has dropped, while divorce rates have risen. At the same time, people are getting married later—the average age for women has increased from 28 to 33 years, and for men, from 32 to 36 years.

These findings were published in the 2014–2023 Population and Demography Bulletin by the Statistical Institute, which provides data on population trends, birth rates, mortality, and marriages.

Population Trends

The bulletin is based on a projected population of 476,214 people as of 2019. In 2023, the male population accounted for 54.1%, while women made up 45.9%.

The percentage of children aged 0–14 has declined from 17% in 2014 to 13.5% in 2023, while the proportion of people aged 15–64 has grown from 74.5% to 77.7%. The elderly population (65 and older) also saw a slight increase, from 8.5% to 8.9%.

Falling Birth Rates

Birth rates have been steadily decreasing. In 2014, 3,759 babies were born, compared to 3,631 in 2023—a 9.7% decline. The crude birth rate (the number of births per 1,000 people) also dropped significantly, from 14.05 in 2014 to 7.70 in 2023.

Over the past decade, the average age of first-time mothers has remained between 30 and 31 years, while for fathers, it has been around 33–34 years.

Marriage and Divorce Trends

Fewer people are tying the knot, with 1,316 marriages recorded in 2014, compared to 1,223 in 2023. The lowest number of marriages occurred in 2020, with just 951 weddings. Meanwhile, divorce rates have climbed, rising from 829 in 2014 to 1,148 in 2023.

In 2014, the highest number of divorces involved childless couples (312 cases). By 2023, this number had risen to 366 childless couples, 356 couples with one child, and 326 couples with two children.

The most divorces occurred in marriages that lasted between one and five years, but in 2023, long-term marriages (16+ years) also saw a significant rise in divorces.

Mortality and Infant Death Rates

The crude death rate (deaths per 1,000 people) has decreased, from 4.4 in 2014 to 3.6 in 2023. The majority of deaths occur in individuals aged 75 and older. Men continue to have higher mortality rates than women, and most deaths are recorded in the winter months.

However, infant mortality rates have risen, increasing from 2.4 to 4.4 per 1,000 live births. The highest rate was recorded in 2021, at 7.2 per 1,000. In 2019, eight infants died, while in 2023, that number doubled to 16. The worst year was 2021, with 26 infant deaths.

Demographic Shifts Continue

The declining birth rate, rising divorce rate, and aging population highlight significant demographic shifts in Northern Cyprus, suggesting changes in social structures and lifestyle choices in the coming years.