The Development of Period and Cohort Nuptiality in Europe and the USA: A Comparative Analysis (1960-2010)

Byron Kotzamanis, University of Thessaly
Anastasia Kostaki, Athens University of Economics and Business

Since the Second World War, most developed countries have experienced considerable socioeconomic changes that affected every aspect of family life. These changes have been reflected on the various demographic indices, and also had a major impact on the marriage patterns. However the rates of these changes vary considerably between countries and an examination of two key indicators i.e. the Total First Marriage Rate and the mean age at first marriage for females, allow us to highlight the differences between the nuptiality patterns of these countries, throughout the seven postwar decades.Based on empirical data, collected from various sources during the time period considered, for the majority of European countries, (as well as for the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia), homogeneous groups of countries were created, in relation to their nuptiality levels and patterns.