Marriages Decline and Divorces Rise in Türkiye in 2025

Marriages Decline and Divorces Rise in Türkiye in 2025

Average age at first marriage rises to 28.5 for men, 26 for women; 34% of divorces occur within first five years.

According to TurkStat, Türkiye saw a continued decline in marriages and a rise in divorces in 2025. The data reflects shifting social patterns and a demographic slowdown, prompting government initiatives to encourage family formation.

Regional trends: where marriages and divorces are most common

TurkStat data reveals stark regional differences in marriage and divorce patterns:

• Highest marriage numbers: Gaziantep, Osmaniye, and Şanlıurfa (southeastern provinces with younger populations)
• Lowest marriage numbers: Tunceli, Gümüşhane, and Ardahan (smaller, older populations)
• Divorce hotspots: Izmir, Antalya, and Denizli (coastal and western provinces)

“The rise in divorce rates in coastal areas like Izmir and Antalya correlates with higher education levels, tourism-driven lifestyles, and greater economic independence of women.”
— Prof. Necla Acar, family sociology, Boğaziçi University

Foreign marriages: a small but notable share

Foreigners made up a small portion of marriages in 2025:

• Grooms: 5,300 (1%) — mostly from Syria, Germany, and Afghanistan
• Brides: 5% of all brides — mostly from Syria, Uzbekistan, and Morocco

Divorce timing and impact on children

Divorces occur most often in the early years of marriage, according to TurkStat:

• 34% within the first 5 years
• 20.3% between the 6th and 10th year

Court decisions affected 191,000 children, with custody most often granted to mothers. This marks a continued trend of maternal custody in the vast majority of cases.

👪 Policy context: These trends come amid overall demographic slowdown, as the birth rate has fallen below replacement level. In response, authorities declared 2025 the “Year of the Family” and launched nationwide measures to encourage marriage and increase birth rates.

Age at first marriage: climbing slowly

The average age at first marriage continues its gradual rise:

• Men: 28.5 years (up from 28.3 in 2024)
• Women: 26.0 years (up from 25.8)
• Typical age gap between spouses: 2.5 years

📉 Demographic warning: With fewer marriages, more divorces, and delayed first unions, Türkiye’s total fertility rate (currently 1.5) remains below the replacement level of 2.1, intensifying the need for effective family policies.