Same-sex marriages in the UK: Statistics so far

New official figures have revealed how many same-sex marriages have taken place in England and Wales since they became legal earlier this year.

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 was introduced in England and Wales on March 29, after being passed into law in 2013.

Within the first three months of the law coming into effect, a total of 1,409 same-sex marriages took place in the UK, reports The Office for National Statistics.

Around 56% (796) of the marriages were female couples, while male couples made up the remaining 44% (613). Almost 7% (95) of same-sex marriages performed within the first three months took place between March 29 and March 31, as loved up couples rushed to marry as soon as the law came into effect.

The number of same-sex marriages then increased month by month, as shown by the chart below:

The average age for female couples entering into a same-sex marriage is 37, which works out slightly lower than for male couples, who are most likely to marry at 39 years of age.

In addition, there are around 120,000 couples currently living in a civil partnership in the UK after these were introduced in 2005. Those living in England and Wales will have the opportunity to convert their civil partnerships to marriages later this year, on December 10.

Meanwhile, the first same-sex marriages in Scotland are expected to take place later this year, though there are currently no plans to introduce same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.

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