Fewer registered partnerships in 2022

The number of registered partnerships fell last year for the first time in a long time. In 2022, over 24,000 partnerships were entered into, approximately 2,000 fewer than the previous year, according to figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

Registered partnerships were created 25 years ago, primarily to offer same-sex couples the opportunity to formalize their relationship. However, when marriage was also opened to same-sex couples in 2001, those couples chose to get married much more often.

Legal parenthood
Since that year, registered partnerships have been steadily increasing, primarily due to the popularity of this form of cohabitation among heterosexual couples. When marriage and registered partnerships were equalized in 2014, granting legal parenthood to fathers and partners in same-sex couples, this led to a further increase in the number of partnerships.

Commercial
Meanwhile, about a quarter of all couples who go to the registry office choose a registered partnership. Registered partners appear to approach their union more professionally than people who get married. For example, Monday is the most popular day for entering into a registered partnership, while weddings are preferably held on Fridays in spring and late summer. A registered partnership is also more likely than a marriage to involve another important event, such as having a child or moving house.