A growing number of children across the world are being born outside formal marriage, reflecting a significant shift in societal norms and family structures, according to the latest data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The report highlights Colombia as the country with the highest proportion, with an overwhelming 87% of births occurring outside wedlock. This trend is largely attributed to the country’s long-standing culture of cohabitation and a legal system that recognises and protects unmarried unions.
Other Latin American countries also dominate the upper ranks, with Chile (78.1%), Costa Rica (74%), and Mexico (73.7%) recording notably high figures. In Mexico, the legal recognition of concubinato, a form of domestic partnership, has provided couples with rights similar to marriage, reducing the necessity for formal unions.
In Europe, the Nordic countries continue to lead the trend on the continent. Iceland (69.4%), Norway (61.2%), and Sweden (57.5%) all report high rates of non-marital births. These countries are known for their strong welfare systems and progressive policies, which provide equal support to children regardless of their parents’ marital status.
Western European nations are not far behind. France (58.5%), Portugal (59.5%), and Belgium (52.4%) have seen steady increases, with many couples opting for alternatives such as France’s civil solidarity pact (PACS) instead of traditional marriage.
The trend is also evident in countries with historically strong religious influence. Spain (50%), the United Kingdom (47.6%), and Ireland (38.4%) have all recorded significant rises in births outside marriage over the past few decades, signalling changing cultural attitudes and economic realities.
In Central and Eastern Europe, countries such as the Czech Republic (47.1%), Estonia (53.8%), and Slovenia (56.5%) are witnessing similar developments, driven by increased urbanisation and evolving social values.
Meanwhile, countries like the United States (40%), Italy (40.5%), and Australia (39.9%) reflect a balance between traditional expectations and modern lifestyles, with cohabitation becoming increasingly common among young couples.
Experts attribute the global rise in non-marital births to several factors, including improved legal protections for cohabiting partners, economic pressures such as the high cost of weddings and housing, and declining religious influence on personal decisions.
The OECD data ultimately points to a broader global transition, where marriage is no longer seen as a prerequisite for starting a family, and diverse family structures are gaining wider acceptance.