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We’ve collected the most recent divorce statistics that paint a clear picture of the institution of marriage in the U.S. Moreover, we’ve included additional data and research on the topic that sheds light on the most common causes for divorce in our society.
Divorce Rate Statistics in the U.S.
- The marriage rates in the U.S. are currently 6.1% per 1,000 total population (CDC.gov, 2019)
- The marriage annulment rates in the U.S. are currently 2.7 per 1,000 total population (CDC.gov, 2019)
- The highest marriage rates country in the U.S. is Nevada, ranking 29.5%, and the lowest is Texas 4.9 % (CDC.gov, 2019)
- The divorce rates per 1000 married women is 16.9%. Many analysts believe that this is a better indicator of actual divorce rates than the crude average (Bgsu.edu, 2015)
- Divorce rates per 1000 married women are nearly twice what they were in 1960, but they are down from an all-time high of 22.6% in the early 1980s (NationalAfairs.com, 2009)
- The U.S. has the sixth-highest divorce rate in the world, 3.40% per 1000 people. The world’s highest divorce rate country is Russia, with 5.00% per 1000 people (Worldatlas.com, 2016)
- 41% of all first-time marriages end in divorce (CDC.gov, 2016)
- 60% of second-time marriages end in divorce (CDC.gov, 2016)
- 73% of third-time marriages end in divorce (CDC.gov, 2016)
- Having children younger than 18 makes parents less likely to divorce (Divorcesource, 2016)
- In the U.S., 43% of children are raised without the presence of their fathers (Rochesterareafatherhoodnetwork.org, 2019)
- Evangelical Christian adults who have been married have a 26% chance of being divorced, compared to a 28% chance for Catholics and a 38% chance for non-Christians (Divorcelawyertemecula.com, 2016)
- 90% of divorced mothers have primary custody of their children (Cor-law.com, 2018)
- 65% of divorced mothers do not receive child support (Sciencedirect.com, 2019)
- 60% of couples who marry between the ages of 20 and 25 will divorce (Maselliwarren.com, 2014)
- Those who wait until they are over 25 years to marry have a 24% lower chance of getting divorced (Ifstudies.org, 2015)
- Married couples going through their first divorce are, on average, 30 years old (Mckinleyirvin.com, 2012)
- 24% of people who are not married say that they are not married because they aren’t ready to settle down (Pewresearch.org, 2017)
- Men are more likely to remarry in 3 years after a divorce vs. the 5 years’ time after divorce for women. Many women avoid remarriage because they don’t want to get married again. Traditionally, men have gained more benefits from marriage than women. (Courses.lumenlearning.com, 2020)
- Divorced children are 50% more likely to marry another divorced child (“Understanding the Divorce Cycle: The Children of Divorce in their Own Marriages,” 2005)
- Watching romantic movies and having a conversation about them reduces divorce rates from 24 to 11% in three-year marriages (University of Rochester, 2014)
How Often People in the U.S. get Divorced?
- In America, one divorce occurs every 13 seconds (Healthresearchfunding.org, 2017)
- That’s 277 divorces per hour, 6,646 divorces per day, 46,523 divorces per week, and 2,419,196 divorces per year (Brandonlegalgroup.com, 2020)
- In the time it takes spouses to recite their wedding vows (2 minutes), 9 divorces occur (Brandonlegalgroup.com, 2020)
Same-Sex Divorce Statistics
- About 1% of married same-sex couples divorce per year, while about 2% of married straight couples divorce per year. (Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, 2011)
- According to the Office of National Statistics in the U.K., lesbian couples are almost twice as likely to get a divorce or terminate their civil union than gay male couples. (Independent, 2013)
- In states that allow same-sex marriage, the divorce rates are 3.1 per 1000 people. (UnatedStatesNews, 2011)
Who is Most Likely Not to Get Divorced?
- Catholics divorce rates – 28%
- Evangelicals divorce rates – 26%
- Upscale adults earning more than $75,000 annually divorce rates – 22%
- Asians divorce rates – 20%
- Individuals who consider themselves to be conservative on social and political issues divorce rates – 28% (CDC.gov, 2019)
Highest Divorce Rates by State for Women (per 1,000)
- Arkansas – 13.1
- South Dakota – 12.1
- Oklahoma – 10.8
- Kentucky – 10.5
- Oregon – 10.1
- Indiana – 9.9
- Nevada – 9.6
- Utah – 9.3
- Missouri – 9.2
- Tennessee – 9.1
Lowest Divorce Rates by State for Women (per 1,000)
- Puerto Rico – 4.2
- North Dakota – 4.7
- Rhode Island – 4.9
- New York – 5.7
- Wisconsin – 6.2
- Vermont – 6.3
- Illinois – 6.6
- California – 6.7
- Michigan – 6.9
5 Professions with the Highest Divorce Rates
- Dancers – 43%
- Bartenders – 38.4%
- Massage Therapists – 38.2%
- Gaming Cage Workers – 34.6%
- Gaming Service Workers – 31.3% (CDC.gov, 2019)
5 Professions with the Lowest Divorce Rates
- Farmers – 7.63%
- Podiatrists – 6.81%
- Clergy – 5.61%
- Optometrists – 4.01%
- Agricultural Engineers – 1.78% (CDC.gov, 2019)
Who gets Divorced the Most and Why?
- Couples with lack of commitment – 73%
- Couples that argue too much – 56%
- Couples that are involved in infidelity – 55%
- People that got married too young – 46%
- People with unrealistic expectations – 45%
- Couples with lack of equality in the relationship – 44%
- People with lack of preparation for marriage – 41%
- People going through domestic violence or abuse – 25% (CDC.gov, 2019)
Correlation between Education, Intelligence & Divorce
- Dropouts from high school are 13% more likely to divorce (Clasp.org, 1998)
- College graduates have a 13% lower chance of being divorced (Shandong University, 2018)
- Those with “below average” IQs are 50% more likely than those with “above average” IQs to be divorced (“The General Intelligence Factor“, 2018)
Divorce Statistics by Occupation
Correlation Between Finances & Divorce
- If a mother went out to work, but the husband made only a “minimal contribution” to housework and childcare, the chance of divorce is 97% higher (Familylaw, 2010)
- An annual income of over $50,000 can decrease the risk of divorce by 30% compared to those with an income of under $25K (Coursehero.com, 2015)
- For both men and women, believing that their partner spent money foolishly increased the probability of divorce by 45% (Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, 2013)
- Married couples who disagree over money at least once a week are 30% more likely to divorce (Edis.ifas.ufl.edu, 2009)
- Couples with no assets at the start of a three-year cycle are 70% more likely to divorce than couples with $10,000 in assets (Apa.org, 2013)
- 41% of couples say that not being financially stable is the primary reason they are not currently married (Pewresearch.org, 2017)
Single Parents' Households
- In the U.S., there are 11 million single-parent households: 8.5 million of those households are headed by a single mother, and the remaining 2.5 million families are headed by single fathers (U.S. Census, 2016)
- The number of children living with their mother has increased from 8% to 23% in the last 50 years (U.S. Census, 2016)
- During the same 50-year period, the number of children living with their father increased from 1% to 4% (U.S. Census, 2016)
Divorce & Substance Abuse
- If only one of the partners smokes, the chances of divorce increase by 76-95% (Mentalfloss.com, 2012)
- Married couples that have similar heavy drinking habits – either both are heavy drinkers, or neither are – are more likely to remain together (Buffalo.edu, 2014)
- If one partner drinks heavily and the other does not, the couple is 60% more likely to split (Buffalo.edu, 2014)
Divorce & Counselling
- 38% of married couples who pursue marriage counseling don’t stay together but end up divorcing within two years (New York Times, 2020)
- 6% of divorced couples end up remarrying each other and stay together (Chicagotribune.com, 2012)
Single Parents' Households
- In the U.S., there are 11 million single-parent households: 8.5 million of those households are headed by a single mother, and the remaining 2.5 million families are headed by single fathers (U.S. Census, 2016)
- The number of children living with their mother has increased from 8% to 23% in the last 50 years (U.S. Census, 2016)
- During the same 50-year period, the number of children living with their father increased from 1% to 4% (U.S. Census, 2016)
Written by shortlister editorial team
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