The average age at which Shanghai women register their marriages is 29.77 and that of their male counterparts 32.45, according to the 2010 Shanghai Marriage Registration Statistics Report published on January 25.

The average age of Shanghai women registering their first marriage is 26.51 and that of men 28.83. Both statistics show that single men and women in Shanghai are marrying later than in 2009 and hence deepening the late marriage trend.

The average age at which women marry is generally 0.38 years later, and at which men marry 0.4 years later than in 2009. The age of women registering their first marriage is 0.31 years later, and of men 0.33 years later, than in 2009.

The data also shows that in 2010, 126,296 couples registered their marriages compared with 147,413 in 2009 -- a 14.33％ drop.

"The main reason for this trend is the decline in the marriageable age population," an official at the Shanghai Municipal Marriage Registration Center said.

Meanwhile, 37,334 couples registered divorces in 2010 -- a 3.71% fall compared to 2009.

Among them, 23,378 persons between 30-to-40 years old account for the majority of Shanghai's divorced population.

In efforts to promote the government public service function in family construction, the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau offers public services that provide troubled couples with divorce mediation services and legal and psychological consultations.

Shanghai will next promote a marriage and family service system, including pre-marriage education and legal and marriage consultancy.