Four in 10 marriages end in divorce

The wedding pledge “till death do us part” no longer carries quite the weight it once did, with almost half of marriages in England and Wales resulting in divorce, official figures reveal.

Nevertheless, the number of divorces actually fell 1.7% last year, with 117,558 couples annulling or dissolving their marriages, compared to 119,589 in 2010 – according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Approximately 42% of marriages end in divorce, compared with 45% in 2005.

Divorce rates are highest among men and women aged between 40 and 44, the ONS data based on the marriage, divorce and mortality statistics for 2010 found. Divorce rates are continuing to fall long-term, Harry Benson, of the Marriage Foundation (MF) said. “After peaking in the 1990s, divorce rates are very definitely back at 1970s levels,” he added. Divorces initiated by women in the first few years of marriage have dropped by up to 50%, a MF report found in September.

The drop-off in the numbers divorcing coincides with a fall in the numbers tying the knot up to 2009, with many couples choosing just to cohabit rather than marry, the ONS said.

Our team of divorce solicitors helps families across West London and Buckinghamshire, including Amersham and surrounding areas. For advice, contact a member of the team: call us on 01494 790058 or email familylaw@ibblaw.co.uk.