Divorce Rates Rise for the First Time Since 2003

I was intrigued to read that the number of divorces in England and Wales has increased for the first time in seven years. The Office for National Statistics (the ONS) has recently announced that divorce figures have risen by 4.9% from 113,949 divorces in 2009 to 119,589 divorces in 2010.

The ONS has confirmed that the largest bracket affected was the 40-44 age-group, meaning that a third of couples married in 1995 will divorce before their 15th anniversary.

This increase could be a delayed consequence of the 2008 financial crisis and the resulting recession, as arguments between spouses over money and job prospects caused more marriages to fail. The delay being attributable to the time required for the divorce process as for many divorcing couples, post- separation there is a period of negotiation to resolve the parties' finances through agreement or through the courts before applying for decree absolute. Couples may have also put off divorce during the difficult economic climate in a bid to see their assets increase in value, or held off as they simply could not afford to divorce.

An increase has also been noted in recent times in those divorcing in the over 60 age bracket. This age-group have been dubbed the 'silver splitters.' The mere fact that there is now a term to encapsulate this group is demonstrative of its growth. It is clear to me, however, that the increase here is indicative in many ways of a social revolution. 60 is no longer 'old' as in previous generations. Improved fitness and health means that new horizons are open to this age group and many are open to change, which, in many instances, means a new partner.

Dissolutions of civil partnership also increased in 2010, but this is understandable because of the relatively new status of civil partnerships and therefore the numbers of those entering such partnerships has increased in recent years.

From the divorces recorded in 2010, the wife is the predominant Petitioner, with two-thirds of decrees granted to the wife. The most common fact was unreasonable behaviour, proven in 55% of cases brought by the wife, and in 35% of claims by the husband.

Given the increased financial pressure on couples and families in recent years it is no surprise that divorce rates have increased slightly however I believe that the general trend is once of decreasing divorces. The figure for 2010 (although up on 2009's statistics) is still greatly reduced from the 2003 level of 153,065 divorces.

It will, however, be interesting to see what next year's statistics reveal. Watch this space!