Marriage Patterns in Spain, 1887-1930

Abstract

Spain displays the greatest diversity of marriage patterns of any European country. This analysis of provincial data considers both the timing of marriage and celibacy from 1887 to 1930. As expected, demographic and economic factors, such as the marriage market and population density, exerted a substantial influence on nuptiality. Cultural patterns, represented here by inheritance practices, also played a pivotal role. Intense nuptiality can be found in areas of high mortality, partible inheritance, balanced marriage markets, moderate out-migration by both sexes, low population density, and professions which facilitated marriage.