New figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed a striking 9.6% rise in divorces between 2020 and 2021.
Specifically, there were 103,592 divorces granted in England and Wales in 2020, rising to 113,505 in 2021.
The ONS did, however, reinforce that the number of divorces may have been raised in 2021 due to disruption to family court activities during the pandemic which led to delays.
That said, the sharp rise remains less than that seen between 2018 and 2019 wherein there was no pandemic.
“It is not as straightforward to suggest that the 9.6% increase in divorce during the past year is due to covid,” said Annabel Andreou, solicitor in the family team at Debenhams Ottaway, continuing:
“I agree that covid plays a part, although this needs to be explored in detail: it may be the case that the pressures of lockdown caused tensions within the marriage which led to an inventible breakdown and then a divorce.
However, it may be the case that the parties agreed to divorce prior to the covid pandemic (and in fact issued their petition prior to the pandemic) but the pandemic caused disruption/delays at the Courts which slowed down the processing of petitions and decree absolutes.”
Unreasonable behaviour was the most common reason for females petitioning for divorce among opposite-sex couples in 2021, accounting for 48.1% of applications.
For males, the most common reasons for divorce were unreasonable behaviour or two-year separation, which both accounted for 34.8% of applications. The below graph illustrates the way reasons for divorce have developed over time:
With regards to the demographic of those getting divorced, the majority (111,934) of divorces in 2021 were among opposite-sex couples, with 1,571 (1.4%) among same-sex couples; female couples made up 67.2% of same-sex divorces.
Divorce rates in 2021 were 9.3 for men and 9.4 for women per 1,000 of the married population (including both opposite-sex and same-sex couples); in comparison the rates in 2020 were lower, with 8.5 for men and 8.6 for women per 1,000 of the married population.
Commenting on the overall trends identified by the statistics, Annabel Andreou continued:
“The change in attitude towards divorce – throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s, there was a negative attitude and stigma towards divorce and a result of this, a negative attitude towards divorcees. We are seeing a far more accepting attitude towards divorce these days.
Domestic abuse is less of a taboo topic than it was in the 60s, 70s and 80s and it may be the case that individuals previously stayed in abusive marriages due to the lack of support available (such as refuges, emergency accommodation, injunctions etc). Fortunately, there are more services now available for victims of domestic abuse which can provide assistance for those wishing to end an abusive marriage.
If an individual is not working and is entirely dependent on their spouse, there will likely be real worries about financial stability should the marriage come to an end which may be a factor in deciding whether to stay in the marriage or get a divorce. Trends around employment/working have changed significantly over the last 60 years – especially for women. With employment comes an element of financial independence and security and it may be the case that individuals feel more confident ending marriage if they know they have an income of their own and the ability to (some extent) support themselves.”
