On their wedding day, no couple envisions the possibility of divorce amidst the joy and euphoria. However, life can take unexpected turns; even those we love and are deeply committed to may undergo changes.
The prevalence of divorce is a concerning issue in every society, and in the UK, statistics highlight an alarming divorce rate among its citizens and residents. This article is geared towards giving valuable insights into what the data says about Marriage and Divorce in the UK.
According to data from the Office of National Statistics;
- In 2021, divorces in England and Wales increased by 9.6% to 113,505 compared to 2020’s 103,592.
- The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 likely affected divorce numbers and timelines, leading to a surge in divorces in 2021.
- In 2021, most divorces (111,934) were among opposite-sex couples,
- Divorce rates in 2021 were 9.3 for men and 9.4 for women per 1,000 of the married population, slightly higher than the 2020 rates of 8.5 for men and 8.6 for women.
- Females initiated divorces more often than males among opposite-sex couples in 2021, with similar proportions to 2020 (63.1% vs. 36.9%).
- The most common reason for female-initiated divorces in 2021 was unreasonable behavior (48.1%), while males cited unreasonable behavior or two-year separation (34.8%) as their main reasons for divorce.
Divorce rate in different Marriages in the UK
Examining divorce rates in different types of marriages, we found that among opposite-sex marriages in 2021, there were 111,934 divorces, showing a 9.3% increase from 2020 and a 4.0% increase from 2019.
The highest number since 2013 when 114,720 divorces were recorded. In 2021, 63.1% of opposite-sex divorces were initiated by females, while males accounted for 36.9%. These percentages closely resembled those of 2020, with 62.6% initiated by females and 37.4% by males.
Notably, cases of decree of annulments included in divorce statistics have decreased, from 297 in 2019 to 257 in 2020, and further down to 231 in 2021.
Data revealed that following the introduction of same-sex marriage by the UK government in 2014, divorces among same-sex couples began in 2015, with an initial total of 22 divorces. In 2021, there were 1,571 same-sex divorces, representing a 36.1% increase from the 1,154 same-sex divorces in 2020.
Of these divorces in 2021, 67.2% involved female couples, which was slightly lower than the 71.3% proportion in 2020.
Divorce under the New Legislation
The UK government has recently enacted new legislation in response to the challenges that divorcing couples face. The new divorce legislation, effective from April 2022, aims to reduce conflict in divorces by eliminating the ability to make allegations about a spouse’s conduct and allowing couples to end their marriage jointly.
Between January and March 2023, there were 28,865 divorce applications (76% from sole applicants, 24% from joint applicants), representing a 5% decrease compared to the same quarter in 2022 under the previous legislation.
During this period, there were 27,465 final orders (18,164 under the new divorce law and 9,301 decree absolutes/final orders under the old law), showing a 15% increase compared to the same quarter in 2022.
Grounds for Divorce in the UK
In the UK, divorce is based on five legal grounds for any legally recognized marriage:
- Adultery
- Unreasonable Behavior
- Desertion
- Living Apart for More Than 2 Years
- Living Apart for More Than 5 Years
According to ONS statistics, in 2021, for opposite-sex divorces, unreasonable behavior was the most common reason for females petitioning (48.1%), showing a slight increase from 2020 (47.4%). Unreasonable behavior was cited in 43.2% of all opposite-sex petitions in 2021, including 34.8% for males.
Notably, unreasonable behavior has been the top reason for female petitioners for over four decades. Between 2006 and 2019, the most common reason for male petitioners was unreasonable behavior.
In 2020, two-year separation became the primary ground, but in 2021, both unreasonable behavior and two-year separation were equally cited at 34.8% for male petitioners in opposite-sex divorces.
In 2021, 54.5% of same-sex divorces were due to unreasonable behavior, with 53.8% initiated by females and 56.0% by males. Unreasonable behavior has been the primary cause of same-sex divorces since 2015, but its prevalence has declined from 77.3% in that year.
Additionally, data indicates a rising trend in marriages ending in divorce during their 25th year. Furthermore, starting in 1965, the percentage of marriages concluding in divorce within the first 10 years increased from 1 in 10 couples to 1 in 4 couples by 1995.
On average, females who have gone through a divorce are typically 42 years old, while their male counterparts’ average was 45.
Crucial Information for UK Immigrants about Divorce.
For UK immigrants with visas based on their relationship status, it’s crucial to inform the Home Office about divorce or separation from their partner. However, British National (Overseas) visa holders are exempt from this requirement.
Even if your relationship has ended, you can still apply for a visa extension or permanent residency in the UK.
Your visa is considered relationship-based if you fall into the categories of being dependent on your partner’s UK visa, a spouse or partner on a family visa, or having an EU Settlement Scheme family permit.
If you face divorce or separation, you must apply to stay in the UK or prepare to leave. These rules also apply if your ex-partner’s visa is dependent on your relationship, such as if they are your dependent or you are their ‘sponsor’.
