The number of marriages in Bahrain increased by an average of 33.4 per cent during the period 2008-2013, a report said.

The number of divorces also rose by an average of 51.8 per cent during the same period, according to the results of latest population and housing census released by Central Informatics Organisation, according to the report in the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

Results indicate a 3.8 per cent increase in the number of female divorcees and 6.4 per cent increase in the number of women widowed.

The average age for women to get married dropped to 22.1 years old in 2012 from 22.7 years in 1991. As for males, it decreased from 26.4 years to 25.8 years during the same period. The age gap between both genders in 2010 was equal to the gap between them in 1991, which was 3.7 years.

The majority of Bahraini households are headed by a man, whereas the percentage of households headed by women declined 2.9 per cent from 12.7 per cent in 1991 to 9.8 per cent in 2010.

Results also reveal that the ratio of Bahraini families with one to three members reached 18 per cent, while the percentage of households with 10 members or more represented 21 per cent. Families with seven to nine members accounted for 26 per cent. Families with four to six members represented 35 per cent, the largest proportion of the population. – TradeArabia News Service