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    Ireland Ranks 6th Globally in Engagement and Proposal Interest, According to HenParty.ie Survey
    Ireland Ranks 6th Globally in Engagement and Proposal Interest, According to HenParty.ie Survey
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    Dublin, Ireland

    Ireland Ranks 6th Globally in Engagement and Proposal Interest, According to HenParty.ie Survey

    25 September 2024

    Ireland has earned an impressive 6th place globally in engagement and proposal interest, as revealed by HenParty.ie's latest analysis of trends & data. With a score of 202 out of 700, Irish romantics rank highly when it comes to planning their dream proposals, outpacing notable countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada. 

    The global landscape of proposal interest is equally fascinating - It is Ghana leading the world with the highest score of 364, with countries like the United States and Australia also exhibiting a strong interest in proposals. 
    The Top 10

    The Top 10

    How Was the Data Gathered?

    CountryScore
    Ghana364
    United States314
    Australia215
    South Africa211
    Canada210
    Ireland202
    Zambia200
    Singapore195
    United Kingdom185
    Philippines155
    Jamaica149
    Namibia147
    Nigeria133
    Malawi126
    New Zealand122
    Trinidad & Tobago94
    United Arab Emirates80
    Zimbabwe78
    Bhutan66
    To compile these rankings, researchers at HenParty.ie analysed global Google search data over a 20-year period from 2004 to 2024. They focused on seven key search terms related to proposals and engagements: "how to propose," "how to propose girl," "engagement ring," "unique engagement rings," "proposal ring," and "promise ring." Search volumes for each country were aggregated to generate a final score, which determined the overall ranking.

    We're seeing such an exciting shift in how couples approach relationships these days compared to how things may have been 20-30 years ago! More and more people are choosing to take their time and explore other fun options like living together first or even travelling before tying the knot. The world has changed hugely in the past 2 decades and what we're seeing now reflects that, yes we're seeing a decline in marriage rates but also a noted uptick in people expressing an interest in engagements - It's a symbolic thing.

    Kate Hyde, Founder, HenParty.ie

    The data does appear to underscore a universal trend: the desire for memorable and meaningful commitment celebrations is a global phenomenon that despite changing in recent years, still remains an important milestone for many.

    Ireland In Focus ; Declining Marriage Rates, high Engagement Interest?

    Despite the clear enthusiasm towards engagements, Ireland faces a declining marriage rate, currently at 4.0 per 1,000 population in 2023 (CSO Figures), down from 5.1 in 2004. 

    It's interesting how these findings shake up what we usually think about engagements and marriage today. You might expect that high engagement interest would mean more weddings, but in Ireland, the story is a bit more nuanced. Couples are still super excited about proposals, even if they’re choosing longer engagements or skipping marriage altogether. It really shows that for many, the proposal itself has become a cherished milestone - People may be living at home or not truly settled yet, but still want to commit to one another, it's a unique situation.

    Kate Hyde, Founder, HenParty.ie

    International Comparisons ; How does Ireland rank?

    Ireland’s ranking shines alongside countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK, where people are still head over heels for more traditional engagements—even as ideas about marriage are evolving.
    United States
    The U.S takes second place as part of the research with a score of 314/700, no surprise given the country's widespread wedding industry and the cultural importance placed on engagement proposals. Social media platforms, reality TV shows focused on weddings, and consumer-driven industries around engagement rings, venues and ceremonies drive consistent interest in proposals.
    Generally in the United States the marriage rate has declined also, according to CDC figures the marriage rate was about 7.8 marriages per 1000 in 2004, this had dropped to around 6.1 in 2019, the COVID pandemic in 2020 created a historical low of 5.1 which has since rebounded to pre-pandemic levels - All in all however, marriages are in the decline.
    United Kingdom
    The UK’s ranking below Ireland similarly points to strong engagement interest across the region. Like in Ireland, the UK is home to a robust wedding industry and couples are increasingly opting for creative, highly personalised proposals.
    At the same time, Ireland’s love for popping the question is right up there with places like Ghana and South Africa, where proposals and weddings hold deep cultural meaning. On the other hand, more practical or laid-back countries, like Sweden (17/700) and Norway (19/700), take a bit of a different approach. Their views on long-term love may be just as strong, but without the same fanfare around proposals.

    About HenParty.ie:

    HenParty.ie is the leading online platform for planning hen parties and girls' getaways in Ireland. With a wide range of destinations and activities, HenParty.ie ensures that every celebration is filled with fun, laughter, and unforgettable experiences. From spa retreats to adventure-filled weekends, HenParty.ie has everything needed to create the perfect hen party.
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