By Afiur
February 24, 2026
A growing number of children across several countries are being born to parents who are not legally married. According to data compiled by Visual Capitalist, based on OECD figures.
High shares of non-marital births often reflect wider social acceptance of cohabitation and alternative family structures, rather than a decline in family formation. Here’s a look at the 10 countries
Colombia tops the list, with 87% of births taking place outside marriage. The figure suggests that cohabitation and non-marital partnerships are widely accepted social norms.1. Colombia – 87.0%1. Colo
In Chile, nearly eight in 10 babies are born to unmarried parents. The country has seen a steady shift toward long-term cohabitation over formal marriage.2. Chile – 78.1%2. Chile – 78.1%
Costa Rica ranks third, with 74% of births occurring outside marriage, reflecting changing family structures in the region.3. Costa Rica – 74.0%3. Costa Rica – 74.0%
Iceland has one of the highest shares in Europe at 69.4%, where cohabitation without marriage is widely accepted.5. Iceland – 69.4%5. Iceland – 69.4%
Mexico follows closely, where 73.7% of births are outside marriage. Cohabiting unions are common and socially recognised.4. Mexico – 73.7%4. Mexico – 73.7%
In Norway, 61.2% of births are outside marriage. The country has strong legal and social support systems for families regardless of marital status.6. Norway – 61.2%6. Norway – 61.2%
Bulgaria records 59.7%, placing it among the top European nations on the list.7. Bulgaria – 59.7%7. Bulgaria – 59.7%
Portugal closely follows with 59.5% of births occurring outside marriage.8. Portugal – 59.5%8. Portugal – 59.5%
Sweden rounds out the top 10, with 57.5% of births outside marriage.10. Sweden – 57.5%10. Sweden – 57.5%
France reports 58.5%, continuing a long-term trend of diverse family arrangements.9. France – 58.5%9. France – 58.5%