It’s no secret that divorce rates remain high worldwide. According to Our World in Data, long marriages are becoming less common1 around the world. It seems both men and women feel less inclined to marry and are waiting longer to make that commitment.
In 1956, the average age for an American man to get married was 22.52. And it was 20.1 for women. No, thanks! Nowadays, it’s 30.2 for men and 28.4 for women.
But why have things changed?
It’s pretty simple. Education and career goals come first. Modern women are more likely to be educated and have their own career prospects, so they aren’t financially trapped in a bad marriage.
In our research, we’ve uncovered surprising divorce statistics that increase the overall understanding of how marriage and divorce impact society.
1. The Chances of Getting Divorced Are Actually 39%
Despite the shaky state of modern marriage, there is still hope for those couples who wish to say “I do” someday.
LegalJobs estimates that the actual chances of an American getting divorced3 is 39% — compared with the 50% divorce rate that everyone talks about. That rate was true in the 1980s, but not today.
2. Nearly 90% of Young Adults Think Marriage Is Extra
Due to a change in societal attitudes, it’s not strange to see American couples tossing out the idea of marriage altogether.
Young people have been slowly but surely straying away from societal expectations of marriage.
A whopping 85% of Millennials and Gen Zers4 reported that they don’t feel the need to marry to have a fulfilled and committed relationship.
3. The U.S. Divorce Rate is 2.5 per 1,000 People
Based on the United Nations statistics, the U.S. divorce rate is 2.5 per 1,000 people5. This is the highest divorce rate in North America — but not as high as other countries like Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. These three countries have the highest divorce rates in the world.
4. Roughly 50% of American Kids Experience Parental Divorce
Children usually play a big part in a couple’s decision whether to get a divorce or try to work things out. And it’s sad to say that roughly 50% of American children6 will witness their parents’ divorce.
5. Children of Divorce Were 48% More Likely to Smoke
Children who experience their parents’ divorce are deeply affected7. In certain scenarios, children suffer academically, socially, and even emotionally.
A study of 19,000 Americans found that men who experienced their parents’ divorce before the age of 18 were 48% more likely to be smokers. For women, the number was slightly lower: 39%.
Children who witness a divorce are likely to mistrust the institution of marriage and fail to maintain lasting relationships themselves.
And, saddest of all, children who experience divorce will be more likely to divorce8 in the course of their adulthood.
6. Massachusetts Has the Lowest Divorce Rate in the U.S.
Research shows that Massachusetts has the lowest divorce rate9 in the U.S. Some would say that age is a major component of a successful marriage.
Parents often advise their children not to marry at too young an age — and they may be onto something. Statistics show that a lot of people from Massachusetts choose to marry when they are older. As a result, marriages tend to last longer, and divorces are less likely.
7. Nevada Has the Highest Divorce Rate in the Country
Perhaps not so surprising, Nevada has the highest divorce rate of all 50 states. Those Elvis weddings don’t all end in happily-ever-afters. The Nevada divorce rate is 4.2 per 1,000 people10.
8. Texas Has a Low Divorce Rate of 1.9 Per 1,000 People
They say everything is bigger in Texas. But that’s not true for divorces. The state has a relatively low divorce rate. Douglas Pits suggested that the low divorce rates11 in Texas are a result of how expensive divorces are there.
“So it seems that in Texas, either married couples have been doing a better job of getting along or economic times make it more sensible to keep trying to work things out,” said Douglas.
9. A Town in Oregon Has the Highest Divorce Rate in the U.S.
Brookings, Oregon, has the highest divorce rate in the U.S. Research shows that 20% of Brookings residents are divorced, and the number has increased over the years.
City data reveal that Brookings has a small population, and most residents are over 40. Some suggest that small towns may be the cause of the high divorce rate.
When you don’t have a large dating pool to choose from, you may settle into relationships that aren’t fulfilling. Unfortunately, these stories are far too common.
Online dating can help singles living in small cities improve their chances of finding someone who shares their interests and values, even if they have to travel a little further to do so.
10. About 73% of Third Marriages End in Divorce
If you’ve been married once before, your chances of divorce are pretty high. If you’ve been married twice before, the odds are more than 50-50 that you won’t stay married.
One study found 73% of third marriages12 end in divorce. Talk about a lack of commitment.
11. Over Half of Divorcees Blame Unending Arguments
The same study found that 56% of divorced people said they couldn’t reconcile certain arguments, and that caused them to break up.
“Conflict is connection. It’s how we figure out who we are, what we want, who our partners are and who they are becoming, and what they want.” — Julie Schwartz Gottman in “Fight Right“
The Gottman Institute teaches couples that most marital disagreements cannot be resolved; they can only be managed and mitigated. It takes work to come together and put aside differences again and again through the years. Not everyone is up to the task.
12. The Average Time It Takes to Remarry Is 3 Years
The average time it takes someone to remarry is three years — if they decide to remarry again. Some relationship experts suggest people should wait longer after a divorce to start dating again.
I’d agree that the first few years after a divorce are hard and should be focused on finding healing.
13. India Has the Lowest Divorce Rate Worldwide
It’s safe to say that religion plays a major factor in divorces as well. Some couples have religious views and mores that hold them back from getting a divorce. Interestingly enough, statistics show that India has the lowest divorce rate worldwide.
Divorce.com studied the divorce rates by country and reported that India’s divorce rate in 2022 was estimated to be less than 1%13.
Marriage is a beautiful and sacred thing in Indian culture, often arranged by parents who want to strengthen the family. Divorce is not seen as a valid option.
FAQs: What Is the Number One Cause of Divorce?
As I mentioned earlier, divorces occur for many different reasons. But some of the most common reasons have been reported to be constant conflict, infidelity, lack of communication, lack of romantic intimacy or sex, and incompatibility.
As we all know, marriage has its fair share of challenges. Sometimes, those challenges just seem too big to overlook.
Although divorce isn’t ideal — no one on their wedding day is hoping to get divorced — it’s still something that is a possibility. Should it happen to you, find a supportive team to back you up.
I’d suggest looking into the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), which was founded to help individuals navigate a divorce. AAML practices family law and has helped many families peacefully settle their divorces.
“Divorce is an unfortunate reality experienced by half of all families. The chances of proceeding respectfully and amicably increase depending upon your choice of representation,” said Cary J. Mogerman, the current president of AAML.
Did Divorce Spike During Covid?
While COVID was a frightening time, divorce wasn’t one of the primary worries. In fact, divorce rates declined by 43% in 2020.
As the pandemic progressed, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that divorce rates continued to decrease to 2.4 per 1,000 people in 202214.
COVID certainly was an isolated time that pushed people to reflect on their feelings and strengthen their connections. As a result, many couples started to seek professional help from therapists, which created a silver lining for relationship trends.
In the midst of all the chaos, American couples learned how to become better communicators and lovers.
Are There Divorced Dating Sites?
Yes, many niche dating sites, including JustDivorcedSingles and DivorcedFreeAndSingle, help divorced singles find a partner who has similar views and life experiences. Divorced singles tend to be older and more mature, so it makes sense that they vibe well.
The long-standing dating service eharmony sees a lot of divorced singles looking for a second chance at love. Its in-depth compatibility ratings and paid subscription plan can appeal to adults who are serious about making a deep connection.
Many divorced singles are also parents and have to deal not only with a failed marriage but also with co-parenting their children. Stir is a great dating app for single parents who want to meet partners with kids and blend their families.
How Long Does It Take to Heal After a Divorce?
That’s entirely up to you and the work you put in. Everyone goes on their own journey after a divorce. Some recover within months. For others, it takes years.
I’d recommend scheduling therapy sessions to help process the divorce and heal. Counselors can offer support and advice for the healing journey. A listening ear can help tremendously, whether it’s a professional or just a friend.
It’s always a good idea to practice self-care as a single person. This can mean going to the gym or picking up a pen and journaling. These small steps help people not only rediscover themselves but prepare for the next relationship — if that’s something they want!
Divorces Don’t Always Have to End Badly
Love can fade in even the longest relationships when arguments begin and differences arise. Divorce may not be on everyone’s to-do list, but it is something that commonly happens.
We often view divorce as a messy situation that ends with two people hating each other. But that’s not always the case! With the right divorce attorney and a mature attitude, a divorce can be an amicable next step for two adults.
Some divorces are actually a good thing because they offer a fresh start. It’s not always the end of a sad story but rather the start of a new chapter.
Plenty of divorced parents still keep in contact and maintain a healthy relationship for the sake of their children. Co-parenting is way better when two people can understand that their relationship may not have worked out, but their family ties are still important.
Happy endings may not always be what we think, but they do exist!
Data Sources
- ourworldindata.org/marriages-and-divorces#marriages-are-becoming-less-common ↩︎
- https://usafacts.org/articles/how-does-marriage-vary-by-state/ ↩︎
- legaljobs.io/blog/divorce-statistics ↩︎
- https://www.klove.com/news/u.s.%20&%20world/more-younger-adults-not-wanting-to-get-married-45353 ↩︎
- unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic-social/products/dyb/documents/dyb2021/table25.xls ↩︎
- https://www.shaheengordon.com/blog/2024/january/understanding-the-impact-of-divorce-on-children/ ↩︎
- familymeans.org/effects-of-divorce-on-children.html ↩︎
- newswise.com/articles/children-of-divorce-more-likely-to-end-their-marriages ↩︎
- cdc.gov/nchs/data/dvs/marriage-divorce/state-divorce-rates-90-95-99-21.pdf ↩︎
- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/divorce_states/divorce_rates.htm ↩︎
- fox26houston.com/news/texas-ranked-among-states-with-the-least-divorce-rates-report ↩︎
- wf-lawyers.com/divorce-statistics-and-facts ↩︎
- divorce.com/blog/divorce-rates-in-the-world ↩︎
- https://blogs.cdc.gov/nchs/2024/03/15/7567 ↩︎
