Divorce Rates by Country: The Highest and Lowest
Understanding the divorce rate by country might not be the most cheerful way to spend your morning but it’s undeniably fascinating. The numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. Behind every statistic, there are cultural norms, legal systems, religious influences, and shifting societal expectations all playing their part.
So, where in the world are marriages standing the test of time? And where are they ending in record speed? Let’s dive in.
What Does Divorce Rate Actually Mean?
Before we compare countries, it's worth being clear about what we’re measuring. The divorce rate generally refers to the number of divorces per 1,000 people in a population, per year. Some countries report it differently - per 1,000 married couples, for example - which makes international comparisons slightly tricky. But even with those caveats, certain patterns are hard to ignore.
Some countries see marriage as sacred and nearly unbreakable, while others have embraced more flexible attitudes. And in some cases, what looks like a low divorce rate might actually be masking a broader trend: fewer people marrying in the first place.
Which Countries Have the Highest Divorce Rates?
Let’s begin at the top - the countries with the highest reported divorce rates in recent years. Unsurprisingly, many of them share similar characteristics: urbanised societies, more progressive attitudes toward gender roles, and legal systems that make divorce relatively accessible.
Russia: Leading the Charts
Russia frequently ranks at the very top. The divorce rate here hovers around 4.5 divorces per 1,000 people. Why so high? A mix of cultural and economic factors, many suggest. There’s less stigma attached to divorce, and many marriages are formed young - which may partly explain why they don’t always last.
United States: Still High, But Falling
Once known for a towering 50% divorce rate, the U.S. has seen a slow decline in recent years. The current rate is around 2.5 to 3 per 1,000. It’s still high globally, but younger generations are marrying later and divorcing less. Possibly because they’re more careful about who (and when) they marry in the first place.
Europe’s Divorce Hotspots
Several European countries post high figures too. Portugal, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Spain all see relatively elevated divorce rates - ranging from 2.5 to 3.2 divorces per 1,000 people, depending on the year. Liberal laws, reduced religious influence, and economic independence for women are often cited as contributing factors.
And Which Countries Have the Lowest Divorce Rates?
Now, let’s pivot. The countries with the lowest divorce rates are often - though not always - more traditional in structure. Marriage is a serious, lifelong commitment, with religious or cultural taboos making divorce rare and often difficult to pursue legally.
India: A Cultural Commitment
India has one of the lowest divorce rates in the world - less than 1 per 1,000, and some estimates put it closer to 0.3. On paper, this looks like a story of marital bliss. In practice, it’s far more complicated. Cultural stigma around divorce remains significant, and there’s often considerable social and economic pressure to stay married.
Vietnam and Sri Lanka: Similar Patterns
Both Vietnam and Sri Lanka also report low rates, usually under 1 per 1,000 people. These countries, like India, have strong family structures and cultural norms that prioritise stability - sometimes at the expense of individual happiness or freedom.
Catholic Influence in Central and South America
In many Latin American countries - Colombia, Peru, Chile - divorce used to be extremely difficult to obtain. Some, like Chile, only legalised it in the early 2000s. The rates remain low, though they are climbing slowly as attitudes change.
What About the Divorce Rate in the UK?
Ah, the UK. A nation with a complicated relationship to both tradition and change. The divorce rate in the UK has been on a gentle downward slope over the past decade, with the current figure sitting around 7.7 divorces per 1,000 married couples. That sounds like a lot - but it’s actually among the mid-range globally.
Interestingly, the introduction of no-fault divorce in 2022 has made the process far simpler and arguably less adversarial. And while critics feared this might lead to a surge in divorces, early signs suggest the opposite: when divorce becomes less stigmatised, people may actually take more time to consider marriage in the first place.
For anyone navigating a separation, it’s essential to have guidance from trusted legal professionals for family cases. Because while the statistics offer perspective, the experience is always personal -and, often, deeply challenging.
What Influences Divorce Rates Around the World?
Now that we’ve crunched some numbers, it’s worth stepping back. What actually drives these differences? A few common threads seem to emerge.
Legal Accessibility
In some countries, divorce is simple and affordable. In others, it’s tangled in bureaucracy or outright restricted. Unsurprisingly, the former tend to have higher reported divorce rates but that doesn’t necessarily mean more unhappy marriages, just more freedom to leave them.
Religious and Cultural Norms
Societies with strong religious traditions often view marriage as sacred and divorce as taboo. That can lower divorce rates, but it doesn’t necessarily reflect greater happiness. It may just mean people feel they have fewer options.
Economic Independence
Where women have economic independence and access to education, divorce is more common. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It often reflects a shift in priorities - from surviving within a marriage to thriving outside of one.
Final Thoughts
Looking at the divorce rate by country is about more than numbers. It reveals how different societies value and manage the institution of marriage. High divorce rates aren’t inherently bad, nor are low ones inherently good. They reflect the freedoms, pressures, expectations, and traditions that shape people’s choices.
And while no country has a perfect formula, what matters most is how individuals are supported through those choices. Whether staying together or parting ways, dignity and clarity are key. At Skylark Hill, our focus is always on providing that clarity, and offering compassionate, professional support every step of the way.
For those navigating this path, we recommend turning to trusted legal professionals for family cases who understand the emotional and legal complexities involved.
