The line graph illustrates the number of first marriages, remarriages and total marriages, measured in thousands, between 1951 and 2001.
Overall, all three figures increased steadily until 1981 before declining afterwards. First marriages consistently made up the largest proportion, whereas remarriages remained the least common throughout the period.
In 1951, there were about 450 thousand total marriages, including roughly 360 thousand first marriages and 90 thousand remarriages. Over the next three decades, these numbers rose gradually. By 1981, total marriages reached a peak of approximately 550 thousand. Similarly, first marriages climbed to around 430 thousand, while remarriages increased to about 120 thousand. This indicates a strong upward trend during the first half of the period.
However, after 1981, all categories showed a downward pattern. Total marriages fell to around 450 thousand by 2001. First marriages also declined significantly to nearly 340 thousand, while remarriages dropped slightly to about 100 thousand.