Khaberni - A new official statistic in Egypt reveals an increase in the number of customary "customary marriage" cases recorded in the country during the year 2024 to about 98,582 cases, at a rate of 270 customary marriages per day.
The data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics showed that the number of cases of customary marriage witnessed in the country during the year 2024 represents 10.5% of the total contracts, compared to 103,657 cases in the corresponding year 2023, with a decrease rate of 4.9%.
Customary marriage is defined as the registration of a customary marriage that occurred between spouses regardless of how long ago it happened for the wife to acquire her legitimate rights.
Customary marriage typically occurs when a wife wants to obtain her legitimate and legal rights (alimony – inheritance – pension – proof of children's lineage) or in case of conflict or divorce, or when obtaining government social support such as Takaful and Dignity or pensions.
According to official statistics, the phenomenon is largely concentrated among the age group 18-30 years old, and among university students and young people with limited income who resort to customary marriage due to the high costs of official marriage.
The annual bulletin data of marriage and divorce statistics for the year 2024 estimated the total number of marriage contracts in Egypt at about 936,739 contracts in 2024, compared to 961,220 contracts in 2023 with a decrease rate of 2.5%.
While the number of divorce cases reached 273,892 cases in 2024, compared to 265,606 cases in 2023 with an increase rate of 3.1%.
The number of marriage contracts in urban areas was about 395,215 contracts in 2024, representing 42.2% of the total contracts, compared to 388,696 contracts in 2023 with an increase rate of 1.7%.
As for the number of marriage contracts in rural areas, it reached 541,524 contracts in 2024, representing 57.8% of the total contracts, compared to 572,524 contracts in 2023 with a decrease rate of 5.4%.
