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2011 Census of Population & Housing - Jamaica
xiii
likely accounted for by spouses who are not resident in the country. The sex differential
for widowed persons was considerable with the number of women in the state of
widowhood (55,390) more than tripling the number of men (18,462) as shown in Table
4.1.
Table (x) Percentage Distribution of the Population by Marital Status by Sex: 2011
Marital Status
Total
Male
Female
Total
1,924,079
938,631
985,448
Never Married
68.10
69.28
66.98
Married
23.97
24.51
23.46
Widowed
3.87
1.97
5.68
Divorced and Legally Separated
2.88
2.96
2.81
Not Reported
1.18
1.29
1.07
In terms of age, the data show that as expected the percentages of never married were
highest among the youngest age groups with 94 per cent of the population less than 30
years old, being never married. The percentage declined with age and by 65 years and
over, only 28 per cent of the population was categorized as never married. Marriage on
the other hand increases with age from 4 per cent of the youngest to 41 per cent of the
45-64 years old. After that age the percentage remains high but declines as persons enter
the state of widowhood. Widows accounted for one quarter (25 per cent) of the 65 years
and over age group compared to a low 4 per cent for the 45-64 years group.
Table (xi) Percentage Distribution of the Population by Marital Status by Age: 2011
Age Group
Total
Never
Married
Married
Widowed
Divorced
and Legally
Separated
Not
Reported
Under 30 years
689,071
93.74
4.40
0.04
0.23
1.58
30-44 years
542.564
68.62
27.19
0.48
2.91
0.81
45-64 years
477,589
48.61
41.12
3.52
5.73
1.03
65 years and over
214,855
27.87
40.52
25.47
5.00
1.14