Topic 2

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As seen in the bar graphs above, the total number of marriages and divorces for the period 1981-1994 is observed in eight countries, including Japan, the UK, Germany, Finland, Denmark, Italy and France. It is notable from the chart that marriage rates, except for Denmark, have declined in all of the nations observed over the survey period, while divorce cases, however, seem to have increased.

There were more than 10 marriages per thousand people in the US in 1981, which was the highest rate of marriage as compared to other nations. However, this number dropped to nine people in 1994. In Italy, Denmark, Finland, France and the United Kingdom, the marriage rate was approximately 6 for every thousand people. Denmark had the lowest marriage rate in 1981, at 5 per thousand. Moreover, the graph shows that the marriage rate decreased further post 15 years, with the exception of Denmark, where it increased by more than 2%.

German and Finnish marriage rates were almost identical in 1981, a little more than 6 per thousand in each nation. However, both nations experienced a significant decline. In 1994, the marriage rate in Finland dropped to about 4 per thousand, while in Germany it was closer to 6.

Furthermore, according to divorce statistics, the USA had the highest divorce rate, which was about 5 per thousand in 1981. All of the countries, including Denmark and the United States, were compared to the divorce rate of 1994 based on their marriage rates of 1981.  We observe that the lowest divorce rate was registered in Italy among others. Germany showed stability for 2 years. The divorce rate in 1991 was less than 3 per thousand. In 1994, it was more than 3 per thousand, which was a slight increase.

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