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It’s popular rhetoric to say that half of marriages end in divorce but do the figures still stack up today? Do 50% of couples still ultimately decide ‘they don’t’ when it comes to marriage? We look at some of the latest numbers in the UK and whether splitting up has waned in popularity.
Divorce rates are falling
According to figures from the National Office of Statistics, the divorce rate is dropping. In 2022, it reports that there was a 29% decrease in the number of divorces granted in England and Wales compared with 2021. With 80,057 divorces granted in 2022, and 113,505 in 2021, the figures represent the lowest since 1971. The report also shows that there was a decrease in dissolutions for those in civil partnerships, with a 22.8% decrease from 2021 to 2022 which is cited as the lowest figure since 2010.
The reasons people are getting divorced
The ONS also reports following a Freedom of Information Request, that the most common reasons why females petitioned for divorce in 2021, was due to ‘unreasonable behaviour’ in opposite-sex couples. The most common reasons for males in the same year was ‘unreasonable behaviour’ and a two-year separation. Almost 54% of females in same sex-couples also cited this as grounds for divorce, as did 56% of males in same sex-couples in the same year.
Are fewer marriages the reason for the divorce rate drop?
Changes in societal norms may play a role in the recent divorce statistics as many more couples opt out of getting married. Figures from the ONS show that in 2017, there were 242,842 marriages in England and Wales, representing a 2.8% fall from 2016. The 2017 figures are the lowest recorded. Cohabitation is becoming more popular for many couples who are no longer in a rush to tie the knot. The number of people choosing to cohabit has increased over the last 10 years, from 24.3% in 2021 compared to 20.6% in 2011.
Another reason which may explain the numbers is the trend towards doing things ‘later in life’. According to a report in The Independent, a 2023 survey aimed at Gen Z and Millennials in relationships revealed that 83 believed they would get married at some point. The age people are getting hitched for the first time has risen with 35.3 years for men and 33.2 years for women being the average ages in 2020.
The impact of no-fault divorce laws
In April 2022, new divorce laws were introduced in England and Wales. The much -anticipated changes in the rules were believed by many to potentially increase the number of divorces. However, in light of the figures, it seems this has not been the case, at least so far.
The reason the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 was thought to change statistics is because the process has been simplified in that it is no longer necessary to cite ‘grounds’ for divorce’. Previously, one of the spouses would have to give a reason as to why they wanted a divorce based on one of five grounds. These included desertion, unreasonable behaviour, adultery, separation for more than 2 years and separation for more than 5 years. The new laws also mean it is now possible to apply jointly for a divorce, impossible to contest a divorce and the language that is used is now more accessible.
Conclusion: consider divorce rates in the greater context
Over the past few years, there have been a number of different socio-economic, legal and global developments including COVID-19 and the current cost-of-living crisis, all of which are likely to have put a skew on the divorce rates. It’s important to use these factors for greater context when considering divorce rates and with the passage of time, it is likely we will gain a clearer picture of the reasons behind the numbers.
