Divorce rates: Same as the ’60s

The divorce rate for all couples is no higher now than it was in the 1960s, a think-thank has claimed.

In a report by The Marriage Foundation, it reveals that the divorce rate for couples after they have been married for 10 years or more is the same as it was in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

Harry Benson, Communications Director at the think-tank, labelled the consistency as “remarkable”. He said that the bulk of divorces since the 1960s have occurred during the first 10 years of marriage, with half of all divorces taking place in this time period. One in five newlyweds divorce after 10 years of marriage and just 2% of unions end in divorce after thirty years of marriage. Meanwhile, less than 0.5% of couples divorce after being married forty years or more.

“After 10 years of marriage, there’s the same chance a couple who marry in 2013 will keep the vow ‘death do us part’ as there was forty years ago,” said Mr Benson, speaking at the launch of National Marriage Week at the House of Commons.

Our Family and Matrimonial team helps families across West London and Bucks. For advice, contact a member of the team, call us on 03456 381381 or email familylaw@ibblaw.co.uk.