It seems everyone knows at least one person who’s divorced. At the same time, there’s disagreement about whether divorce is becoming more or less common and who’s getting divorced.

Below are some key divorce statistics, plus insights as to why these numbers might be changing.

Editor’s note: All statistics are the most recent at the time of publication.

Divorce rates around the world

In 2020, the number of marriages per 1,000 people varied considerably between countries. Mexico and Ireland had the lowest divorce rates (0.7 divorces per 1,000 people), while Denmark, Latvia and Lithuania had the highest rates (2.7 per 1,000 people).

Divorce rates in the United States

The current yearly divorce rate in America is 2.5 per 1,000 people. Although this rate has significantly decreased since 2000, the COVID-19 pandemic spurred an increase in filings, most noticeably in mid-2021. This may be linked to easing restrictions, which allowed people to start filing again. Another factor could be the significant stress that the pandemic and lockdowns put on couples. 

Who files for divorce

Women are more likely than men to pursue a divorce. Women initiate around 69 percent of divorce proceedings. 

Average marriage length

The average length of marriage varies across the country. Maine and West Virginia have the longest lasting marriages, with a median length of 22.3 years. Alaska and Nevada have the shortest marriages, at 16.3 years and 17.2 years, respectively. 

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Divorce rates by age

The median age for people entering their first divorce has increased in recent decades and varies between sexes. 

How sex impacts age at first divorce 

• In 1970, the median age of women at their first divorce was 27.7. In 2020, it was 40.1.
• In 1970, the median age for men at their first divorce was 30.5. In 2020, it was 42.6. 
• The age gap between men and women going through their first divorce has remained fairly similar, from 2.8 in 1970 to 2.5 in 2020.

How race and ethnicity impact age at first divorce 

• Asian women have the highest median age for their first divorce at 44.6 years old.
• Hispanic women have the youngest median age at the time of their first divorce: 38 years old.
• Black men have the highest median age at the time of their first divorce at 45.9 years old.
• Hispanic men have the youngest median age at the time of their first divorce: 37.5 years old.

How education level impacts age at first divorce 

• Women with a graduate or professional degree have the highest median age when getting divorced for the first time: 42.5 years.
• Women with no degree or some college have the youngest median age: 36.9 years. 
• Men with graduate or professional degrees have the oldest median age: 44.5 years. 
• Men with an associate degree have the youngest median age: 40.2 years. 

How Millennials are changing marriage and divorce statistics 

Millennials are responsible for the dropping divorce rate, likely due in part to their attitude toward marriage. People of this generation are more likely to wait to marry until they’re educated and financially stable.

• 30 percent of Millennials live with a spouse and child, versus 40 percent of Gen Xers, 46 percent of Baby Boomers and 70 percent of Silents at a similar age.
• 44 percent of Millennials are married. At a similar age, 53 percent of Gen Xers, 61 percent of Baby Boomers and 81 percent of Silents were married.

Gray divorce 

Gray divorce refers to someone 50 years or older initiating a divorce. The divorce rate for older couples has doubled since the 1990s. Given that half of the current married population is at least 50 years old, studies predict that by 2030, the number of people 50 and over filing for divorce will increase by one-third.

Divorce rates by race

Divorce rates in America differ by race and sex.

Women by race

• 38.9 percent of Black women have ever been divorced
• 35.6 percent of White, non-Hispanic women have ever been divorced
• 27.3 percent of Hispanic or Latino women have ever been divorced
• 13.9 percent of Asian women have ever been divorced

Men by race

• 38.7 percent of Black men have ever been divorced
• 35 percent of White, non-Hispanic men have ever been divorced
• 26.1 percent of Hispanic or Latino women have ever been divorced
• 11.4 percent of Asian men have ever been divorced

Military divorces

Military couples face unique challenges that can put significant stress on the marriage, including deployment, physical injuries and emotional conditions, isolation and frequent relocations. Statistics on military couples indicate: 

• Around 3 percent of military marriages end in divorce each year. 
• In 2019, the divorce rate for males in the military was 2.5 percent, while the rate for women was significantly higher at 7 percent.
• Enlisted military divorce rates are 4 percent, while officers have a lower rate at 1.8 percent.

How other factors impact divorce

Almost every aspect of life, from education and religion to our friends and health, has been examined to find its possible associations with divorce.

Education and divorce

Higher education levels have been linked to lower divorce rates.

• More than 50 percent of marriages of people with less than a high school degree end in divorce. On the other hand, 30 percent of marriages of college graduates lead to divorce.
• After 15 years, 75 percent marriages of college graduates are still intact versus 55 to 60 percent of marriages of people with less education.

Various factors might contribute to these trends, such as increased financial stability, better communication skills or a more thorough understanding of the commitment required for a successful marriage as education increases.

Religion and divorce

The percentages of divorced members within various religions are as follows:

• Evangelical Protestant: 14 percent
• Catholic: 12 percent
• Jehovah’s Witness: 12 percent
• Mainline Protestant: 12 percent
• Buddhist: 10 percent
• Jewish: 9 percent
• Orthodox Christian: 9 percent
• Muslim: 8 percent
• Mormon: 7 percent
• Hindu: 5 percent

Shared values and beliefs and the support provided by religious communities may contribute to lower divorce rates among some religious couples.

Social networks and divorce

Your chances of divorce may rise dramatically if you have a friend or relative who’s gone through a divorce. Study participants in a research group were: 

• 75 percent more likely to get divorced if a friend was divorced
• 33 percent more likely to get divorced if a friend of a friend was divorced

Income levels and divorce 

There’s some correlation between income levels and divorce rates. Divorce is more common among married working-class and poor individuals between 18 and 55 years old. 

• People classified as poor have a divorce rate of 46 percent.
• Working class people have a divorce rate of 41 percent.
• Middle and upper-class people have a divorce rate of 30 percent. 

Seasons and divorce 

Divorce filings vary by season, possibly due to people’s domestic ritual calendar. Research shows that the months after winter and summer holidays—March and August—are the two most common to file for divorce. 

Health and divorce 

Research suggests that divorce can impact your health in numerous ways. Some examples include: 

• Compared to married people, divorced folks experience 20 percent more chronic conditions, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
• Divorced people also have 23 percent more mobility limitations, such as difficulty walking a block or climbing stairs.
• Separated and divorced individuals have a 46 percent greater risk of death than still-married people. Smoking and lack of exercise may be one explanation.  

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Children and divorce

In a 2019 survey of adults, 31 percent said the desire to have children was a major reason in their decision to marry. If a couple marries and their partner changes their mind or can’t have children, it can impact the couple’s chances of staying together. 

In most cases, children raised by married parents have a better chance at a successful marriage. 

• 18 percent of children who grow up with married parents go on to divorce when they marry.
• 28 percent of children raised by divorced or separated parents eventually divorce their own spouse. 

There are different dynamics in marriages involving adopted children. A study of hetero and same-sex couples in the first five years of adoptive parenthood revealed that during that time period: 

• 12.3 percent of the lesbian couples studied dissolved their relationship. 
• 2 percent of the gay couples dissolved their relationship.
• 8.3 percent of the heterosexual couples dissolved their relationship.

Why is the divorce rate so high?

Many factors can contribute to a couple’s decision to divorce. According to one survey, some of the most common reasons include: 

• Lack of commitment: 75 percent of individuals cited waning dedication to the marriage.
• Infidelity: About 60 percent of respondents reported that one or both partners cheated.
• Communication problems: Around 58 percent of individuals blamed regular or daily arguments.
• Getting married too young: 45 percent of people said they wed too young. 
• Financial issues: Money challenges were cited by about 37 percent of respondents.
• Addiction: Around 35 percent of people said their spouse’s substance abuse was a factor.
• Abuse: About 24 percent of individuals reported domestic violence.
• Health problems: Approximately 18 percent cited medical conditions.
• Lack of familial support: About 17 percent mentioned inadequate support from family.
• Religious differences: Around 13 percent said differing views on religion played a role. 
• Lack of premarital education: Another 13 percent cited receiving little or no premarital education.