Divorce demography

Divorce demography is the study of divorce statistics in a population. There are three ratios used for divorce rate calculations: crude divorce rate, refined divorce rate, and divorce-to-marriage ratio. Each of these calculations has weaknesses and can be misleading.[1]

Statistics on divorces by country/region

## Estimates of annual divorces by country

[edit]

The following are the countries with the most annual divorces according to the United Nations in 2009.[2][3]

Country  | Divorces

|

China | 1,893,000
United States | 1,106,670
Russia | 685,910
Japan | 257,475
Germany | 190,928

## Divorce statistics by country/region (per 1,000 population / year)

[edit]

Country/region  | Continent  | Rate  | Ratio  | Data Source Year

|
|
|
|

Marriage | Divorce | Refined  | Percent
Albania | Europe  | 8.1  | 1.7  | 4.76  | 20.99  | (2018)[4]
Algeria | Africa  | 10.1  | 1.6  | 6.31  | 15.84  | (2013)[5]
Australia (more info) | Oceania  | 4.6  | 2.0  | 2.3  | 43.48  | (2017)[6]
Austria | Europe  | 5.3  | 1.8  | 2.94  | 33.96  | (2018)[4]
Azerbaijan | Asia  | 9.7  | 1.5  | 6.47  | 15.46  | (2011)[7][8]
Bahamas | North America  | 6.1  | 1.0  | 6.1  | 16.39  | (2007)[7][8]
Belarus | Europe  | 6.1  | 3.7  | 1.65  | 60.66  | (2023)[9]
Belgium (more info) | Europe  | 3.9  | 2.1  | 1.86  | 53.85  | (2016)[4]
Bermuda |  | 10.6  | 2.7  | 3.93  | 25.47  | (2009)[7][8]
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Europe  | 4.8  | 0.6  | 8  | 12.5  | (2012)[4]
Brazil | South America  | 6.6  | 1.4  | 4.71  | 21.21  | (2009)[10]
Bulgaria | Europe  | 4.1  | 1.5  | 2.73  | 36.59  | (2018)[4]
Canada (more info) | North America  | 4.4  | 2.1  | 2.1  | 47.73  | (2008)[7][8]
Chile (more info) | South America  | 3.3  | 0.7  | 4.71  | 21.21  | (2009)[7][8]
China (more info) | Asia  | 7.2  | 3.2  | 2.25  | 44.44  | (2018)[citation needed]
Colombia | South America  | 2.3  | 0.7  | 3.29  | 30.43  | (2007)[11]
Costa Rica | North America  | 5.3  | 2.5  | 2.12  | 47.17  | (2010)[7][8]
Croatia | Europe  | 4.9  | 1.5  | 3.27  | 30.61  | (2018)[4]
Cuba (more info) | North America  | 5.2  | 2.9  | 1.79  | 55.77  | (2010)[7][8]
Cyprus | Asia  | 6.8  | 2.2  | 3.09  | 32.35  | (2017)[4]
Czech Republic | Europe  | 5.1  | 2.3  | 2.22  | 45.1  | (2018)[4]
Denmark | Europe  | 5.6  | 2.6  | 2.15  | 46.43  | (2018)[4]
Dominican Republic | North America  | 4.4  | 1.8  | 2.44  | 40.91  | (2010)[7][8]
Ecuador | South America  | 5.6  | 1.1  | 5.09  | 19.64  | (2006)[11]
Egypt (more info) | Africa  | 11.0  | 1.9  | 5.79  | 17.27  | (2010)[7][8]
El Salvador | North America  | 3.5  | 0.8  | 4.38  | 22.86  | (2006)[11]
Estonia | Europe  | 5.0  | 2.4  | 2.08  | 48  | (2018)[4]
European Union |  | 4.4  | 2  | 2.2  | 45.45  | (2017)[4]
Finland | Europe  | 4.3  | 2.4  | 1.79  | 55.81  | (2018)[4]
France | Europe  | 3.7  | 1.9  | 1.95  | 51.35  | (2016)[4]
Georgia | Asia  | 6.9  | 1.3  | 5.31  | 18.84  | (2011)[7][8]
Germany (more info) | Europe  | 4.9  | 1.9  | 2.58  | 38.78  | (2017)[4]
Gibraltar |  | 6.7  | 3.2  | 2.09  | 47.76  | (2010)[7][8]
Grenada | North America  | 5.0  | 1.1  | 4.55  | 22  | (2001)[11]
Greece | Europe  | 4.7  | 1.8  | 2.61  | 38.3  | (2017)[4]
Guatemala | North America  | 3.8  | 1.2  | 3.17  | 31.58  | (2008)[7][8]
Hungary | Europe  | 5.2  | 1.7  | 3.06  | 32.69  | (2018)[4]
Iceland | Europe  | 4.9  | 1.8  | 2.72  | 36.73  | (2010)[4]
India (more info) | Asia  | 10  | 0.1  | 100  | 1  | ?[12]
Iran (more info) | Asia  | 11.2  | 1.6  | 7  | 14.29  | (2017)[13]
Iraq | Asia  | Un­known  | 2.24  |  |  | (2024)[14]
Ireland | Europe  | 4.6  | 0.7  | 6.57  | 15.22  | (2017)[4]
Israel (more info) | Asia  | 6.5  | 1.8  | 3.61  | 27.69  | (2009)[citation needed]
Italy | Europe  | 3.2  | 1.5  | 2.13  | 46.88  | (2018)[4]
Jamaica | North America  | 7.5  | 1.5  | 5  | 20  | (2011)[7][8]
Japan (more info) | Asia  | 4.8  | 1.7  | 2.82  | 35.42  | (2019)[15]
Jordan | Asia  | 6.7  | 1.8  | 3.72  | 26.87  | (2019)[16][17][18]
Kazakhstan | Asia  | 7.3  | 2.5  | 2.92  | 34.25  | (2021)[19][20]
Kuwait | Asia  | 5.2  | 2.2  | 2.36  | 42.31  | (2010)[7][8]
Kyrgyzstan | Asia  | 9.7  | 1.6  | 6.06  | 16.49  | (2010)[7][8]
Latvia | Europe  | 6.8  | 3.1  | 2.19  | 45.59  | (2018)[4]
Lebanon | Asia  | 9.5  | 1.6  | 5.94  | 16.84  | (2007)[7][8]
Libya | Africa  | 10.8  | 2.5  | 4.32  | 23.15  | (2008)[21]
Liechtenstein | Europe  | 5.0  | 2.4  | 2.08  | 48  | (2010)[4]
Lithuania | Europe  | 7.0  | 3.1  | 2.26  | 44.29  | (2018)[4]
Luxembourg | Europe  | 2.9  | 2.3  | 1.26  | 79.31  | (2020)[4]
Malaysia | Asia  | 6.4  | 1.6  | 4  | 25  | (2019)[22]
Maldives | Asia  | Un­known  | 5.52  |  |  | (2024)[14]
Malta (more info) | Europe  | 5.8  | 0.7  | 8.29  | 12.07  | (2018)[4]
Mauritius | Africa  | 8.2  | 1.4  | 5.86  | 17.07  | (2010)[7][8]
Mexico | North America  | 5.2  | 0.9  | 5.78  | 17.31  | (2009)[7][8]
Moldova | Europe  | 7.3  | 3.1  | 2.35  | 42.47  | (2011)[7][8]
Mongolia | Asia  | 3.4  | 1.1  | 3.09  | 32.35  | (2010)[7][8]
Montenegro | Europe  | 5.3  | 1.4  | 3.79  | 26.42  | (2018)[4]
Netherlands | Europe  | 3.7  | 1.8  | 2.06  | 48.65  | (2018)[4]
New Zealand (more info) | Oceania  | 4.8  | 2.0  | 2.4  | 41.67  | (2008)[7][8]
Nicaragua | North America  | 4.5  | 0.8  | 5.63  | 17.78  | (2005)[11]
North Macedonia | Europe  | 6.5  | 0.8  | 8.13  | 12.31  | (2018)[4]
Norway (more info) | Europe  | 4.3  | 1.9  | 2.26  | 44.19  | (2018)[4]
Panama | North America  | 3.7  | 1.0  | 3.7  | 27.03  | (2010)[7][8]
Poland (more info) | Europe  | 5.1  | 1.7  | 3  | 33.33  | (2018)[4]
Portugal | Europe  | 1.8  | 1.7  | 1.06  | 94.44  | (2020)[4]
Qatar | Asia  | 3.3  | 1.1  | 3  | 33.33  | (2011)[7][8]
Romania | Europe  | 7.4  | 1.6  | 4.63  | 21.62  | (2018)[4]
Russia | Europe  | 5.3  | 3.9  | 1.36  | 73.58  | (2020)[23][24]
Saint Lucia | North America  | 2.8  | 0.7  | 4  | 25  | (2004)[11]
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | North America  | 5.8  | 0.8  | 7.25  | 13.79  | (2007)[7][8]
San Marino | Europe  | 6.1  | 2.5  | 2.44  | 40.98  | (2011)[7][8]
Saudi Arabia | Asia  | 5.6  | 2.1  | 2.67  | 37.5  | (2020)[25]
Serbia | Europe  | 5.2  | 1.4  | 3.71  | 26.92  | (2018)[4]
Seychelles | Africa  | 17.4  | 1.9  | 9.16  | 10.92  | (2011)[7][8]
Singapore (more info) | Asia  | 6.8  | 1.9  | 3.58  | 27.94  | (2015)[26]
Slovakia | Europe  | 5.7  | 1.8  | 3.17  | 31.58  | (2018)[4]
Slovenia | Europe  | 3.5  | 1.1  | 3.18  | 31.43  | (2018)[4]
South Africa (more info) | Africa  | 3.5  | 0.6  | 5.83  | 17.14  | (2009)[10]
South Korea (more info) | Asia  | 4.7  | 2.2  | 2.14  | 46.81  | (2019)[27]
Spain | Europe  | 1.9  | 1.6  | 1.19  | 84.21  | (2020)[4]
Sri Lanka | Asia  | ?  | 0.15  |  |  | ?[28]
Suriname | South America  | 4.2  | 1.3  | 3.23  | 30.95  | (2007)[7][8]
Sweden | Europe  | 5.0  | 2.5  | 2  | 50  | (2018)[4]
Switzerland | Europe  | 4.8  | 2.0  | 2.4  | 41.67  | (2016)[4]
Syria | Asia  | 10.6  | 1.3  | 8.15  | 12.26  | (2006)[11]
Taiwan | Asia  | 5.7  | 2.3  | 2.48  | 40.35  | (2018)[29]
Tajikistan | Asia  | 13.5  | 1.4  | 9.64  | 10.37  | (2009)[7][8]
Thailand | Asia  | 5.5  | 1.4  | 3.93  | 25.45  | (2005)[11]
Tonga | Oceania  | 7.1  | 1.2  | 5.92  | 16.9  | (2003)[11]
Trinidad and Tobago | North America  | 6.3  | 2.2  | 2.86  | 34.92  | (2005)[11][30]
Tunisia | Africa  |  |  |  |  | (2016)[31]
Turkey | Europe  | 6.8  | 1.7  | 4  | 25  | (2018)[4]
Ukraine | Europe  | 4.06  | 2.88  | 1.41  | 70.94  | (2020)
United Arab Emirates (more info) | Asia  | 2.8  | 0.7  | 4  | 25  | (2005)[32]
United Kingdom (more info) | Europe  | 4.4  | 1.8  | 2.44  | 40.91  | (2015)[4]
United States (more info) | North America  | 5.1  | 2.3  | 2.22  | 45.1  | (2020)[33]
Uruguay | South America  | 3.2  | ?  |  |  | (2010)[7]
Uzbekistan | Asia  | 7.8  | 1.1  | 7.09  | 14.1  | (2006)[34][35]
Venezuela | South America  | 3.3  | 1.2  | 2.75  | 36.36  | (2006)[7]
Vietnam | Asia  | 5.7  | 0.4  | 14.25  | 7.02  | (2015)[7][8]

## Metrics / statistics

[edit]

### Crude divorce rate

[edit]

This is divorces per 1,000 population per year.[1] For example, if a city has 10,000 people living in it, and 30 couples divorce in one year, then the crude divorce rate for that year is 3 divorces per 1,000 residents.

Crude Divorce Rate = Number of divorces Population × 1000 {\displaystyle {\text{Crude Divorce Rate}}={\frac {\text{Number of divorces}}{\text{Population}}}\times 1000}

The crude divorce rate can give a general overview of marriage in an area, but it does not take people who cannot marry into account. For example, it would include young children, who are clearly not of marriageable age in its sample. In a place with large numbers of children or single adults, the crude divorce rate can seem low. In a place with few children and single adults, the crude divorce rate can seem high.

### Refined divorce rate

[edit]

This measures the number of divorces per 1,000 women married to men, so that all unmarried persons are left out of the calculation.[1] For example, if that same city of 10,000 people has 3,000 married women, and 30 couples divorce in one year, then the refined divorce rate is 10 divorces per 1,000 married women.

Refined Divorce Rate = Number of divorces Number of married women × 1000 {\displaystyle {\text{Refined Divorce Rate}}={\frac {\text{Number of divorces}}{\text{Number of married women}}}\times 1000}

### Divorce-to-marriage ratio

[edit]

This compares the number of divorces in a given year to the number of marriages in that same year (the ratio of the crude divorce rate to the crude marriage rate).[1] For example, if there are 500 divorces and 1,000 marriages in a given year in a given area, the ratio would be one divorce for every two marriages, e.g. a ratio of 0.50 (50%).

Divorce-to-Marriage Ratio = Number of divorces Number of marriages {\displaystyle {\text{Divorce-to-Marriage Ratio}}={\frac {\text{Number of divorces}}{\text{Number of marriages}}}}

However, this measurement compares two unlike populations – those who can marry and those who can divorce. Say there exists a community with 100,000 married couples, and very few people capable of marriage, for reasons such as age. If 1,000 people obtain divorces and 1,000 people get married in the same year, the ratio is one divorce for every marriage, which may lead people to think that the community's relationships are extremely unstable, despite the number of married people not changing. This is also true in reverse: a community with very many people of marriageable age may have 10,000 marriages and 1,000 divorces, leading people to believe that it has very stable relationships.

Furthermore, these two rates are not directly comparable since the marriage rate only examines the current year, while the divorce rate examines the outcomes of marriages for many previous years. This does not equate to the proportion of marriages in a given single-year cohort that will ultimately end in divorce. In any given year, underlying rates may change, and this can affect the ratio. For example, during an economic downturn, some couples might postpone a divorce because they can't afford to live separately. These individual choices could seem to temporarily improve the divorce-to-marriage ratio.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d England, J. Lynn; Kunz, Phillip R. (February 1975), "The Application of Age-Specific Rates to Divorce", Journal of Marriage and the Family, 37 (1), Journal of Marriage and Family, Vol. 37, No. 1: 40–46, doi:10.2307/351029, JSTOR 351029
2. ^ "United Nations Population Division | Department of Economic and Social Affairs".
3. ^ UNPD WMD 2008 Divorces un.org
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am "Marriage and divorce statistics". Eurostat 2017.
5. ^ "Office National des statistiques - Démographie Algérienne 2014" (PDF). Office National des Statistiques (ONS) 2013.
6. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistic: Marriages and Divorces
7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae "Marriages and crude marriage rates" (PDF). United Nations Statistical Division (UNSTAT). Retrieved 10 January 2013.
8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac "Divorces and crude divorce rates" (PDF). United Nations Statistical Division (UNSTAT). Retrieved 10 January 2013.
9. ^ Брачность и разводимость в Республике Беларусь
10. ^ a b BRICS Joint Statistical Publication 2012, Chapter 3: Population (PDF). 2012. p. 18\. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-02-28. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "World Marriage Data 2008". United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2009). Retrieved 19 January 2013.
12. ^ Divorce Rates in the World [Updated 2024]
13. ^ BBC Persian "رکورد طلاق در ایران شکست؛ ثبت ۱۷۵ هزار جدایی در سال ۱۳۹۶", BBC, London, 9 April 2018. Retrieved on 28 November 2018.
14. ^ a b "Divorce Rates by Country 2024". World Population Review. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
15. ^ "令和婚ブームで2019年の婚姻数は7年ぶりの増加 : 初婚年齢、後ろずれの傾向". 24 June 2020.
16. ^ 8 Registered Marriages by Age of Bride and Groom, 2019 (PDF). Department of Statistics. 2019.
17. ^ Registered Divorces by Governorate, 2015-2019 (PDF). Department of Statistics. 2019.
18. ^ Registered Marriages by Governorate, 2015-2019 (PDF). Department of Statistics. 2019.
19. ^ "Излюбленными месяцами молодожёнов в прошедшем году стали июль и август". ranking.kz. Archived from the original on 2022-06-12.
20. ^ "Бес в ребро? 13% пар, решивших развестись, провели в браке более 20 лет". ranking.kz. Archived from the original on 2022-05-24.
21. ^ UNESCWA Population Statistics
22. ^ "Marriage and Divorce Statistics, Malaysia, 2019". Department of Statistics Malaysia.
23. ^ Обновлено БРАКИ. Федеральная служба государственной статистики (Federal State Statistics Service). 2020. Archived from the original on 2022-03-31. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
24. ^ Обновлено - 09.07.2021: РАЗВОДЫ. Федеральная служба государственной статистики (Federal State Statistics Service). 2020. Archived from the original on 2022-04-01. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
25. ^ Marriage and Divorce Statistics 2020 (PDF). General Authority for Statistics - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 2020.
26. ^ SINGAPORE SOCIAL STATISTICS IN BRIEF 2015 (PDF). Ministry of Social and Family Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-12-08. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
27. ^ "Statistics Korea".
28. ^ "UNICEF:Sri Lanka Statistics". Archived from the original on 2018-08-30. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
29. ^ "An average of 149 couples file for divorce per day in Taiwan in 2018: Data | Taiwan News | 2019-06-23 14:19:00". 23 June 2019.
30. ^ United Nations Statistical Division (UNSTAT) 2010
31. ^ "Data Development Hub".
32. ^ UNESCWA Population Statistics
33. ^ "Marriage and Divorce". National Center for Health Statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
34. ^ "Gender: average marriage rate 2000-2006". UNDP CO in Uzbekistan, 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-10-17.
35. ^ "Gender: average divorce rate 2000-2006". UNDP CO in Uzbekistan, 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-10-17.

## External links

[edit]

* Authorship: United States CDC National Center for Health Statistics; Contents: Longitudinal study of first-marriage outcomes in the United States, 2012

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