UK Divorce Rate Statistics
Live UK divorce counter 2026. Approximately 80,000 divorces are granted each year in England and Wales. Watch divorces tick in real time from ONS divorce statistics.
About These Statistics
Approximately 80,000 divorces are granted each year in England and Wales, according to ONS Divorces statistics. This equates to approximately 219 divorces per day. The divorce rate has declined significantly over recent decades — from a peak of approximately 165,000 divorces per year in 1993 to current levels — partly reflecting declining marriage rates, later marriage ages and changing social attitudes.
The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, which came into force in April 2022, introduced no-fault divorce to England and Wales for the first time. Previously, one partner had to cite grounds including adultery, unreasonable behaviour or separation. The new law allows couples to divorce by mutual consent without apportioning blame, and removed the ability of one partner to contest a divorce.
The average marriage in England and Wales lasts approximately 12.5 years before divorce. Women initiate approximately 62% of divorces. The most common age for divorce is 45-49 for men and 40-44 for women, though divorce at all ages is possible. Divorce rates are highest in the first few years of marriage and around the 10-15 year mark.
Cohabiting couples who separate are not counted in divorce statistics, meaning the true rate of relationship breakdown is significantly higher than divorce figures suggest. Approximately 3.4 million couples cohabit in the UK without being married, and cohabitation breakdown — which has no formal legal process — is not systematically recorded.
The financial and emotional costs of divorce are substantial. Legal costs average approximately £14,000-£20,000 per couple when contested. Divorce is associated with significant negative outcomes for mental health, housing stability and financial wellbeing for both parties, with children affected particularly adversely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on official UK government data
How many divorces are there in the UK each year?
Approximately 80,000 divorces are granted each year in England and Wales according to ONS statistics — approximately 219 per day. The divorce rate has fallen significantly from a peak of approximately 165,000 per year in 1993. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate statistics. The introduction of no-fault divorce in April 2022 changed the process significantly.
What is the divorce rate in the UK?
The UK crude divorce rate is approximately 7-8 divorces per 1,000 married couples per year. Approximately 42% of marriages in England and Wales end in divorce, based on long-term trends. The average marriage lasts approximately 12.5 years before divorce. Women initiate approximately 62% of divorce proceedings.
What is no-fault divorce in the UK?
No-fault divorce was introduced in England and Wales by the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, coming into force in April 2022. It allows couples to divorce by mutual consent without one party having to prove adultery, unreasonable behaviour or separation. It also removed the ability of one partner to contest a divorce. Scotland had already introduced similar provisions previously.