There’s been a lot of discussion about marriage and divorce these days. Of course, it always helps to look at the divorce statistics. These statistics can help you get a better understanding of what trends are occurring, and if any changes are coming…
Divorce Statistics: Know The Trends
The “50%” myth
Many people have heard the divorce statistic that claims 50% of marriages end in divorce. However, this is based on some quite old data. The 50% claim originated back in the 1980’s, but since then, rates appear to actually be dropping rather than staying at those 1980’s numbers.
Now, most researches believe that the divorce rate for first marriages is actually around 42-45%. The numbers for repeat marriages, on the other hand, indicate a different trend. Around 60% of second marriages end in divorce, and 73% of third or higher ones end the same way. Usually, this is due to baggage stemming from the original marriage.
The impact of age
Divorce statistics related to age also show which groups in particular tend to divorce. In particular, younger couples are divorcing more often. 27.6% of women and 11.7% of men under 20 are or have been divorced. Those ages 20-24 report an even higher number, at 36.6% for women and 38.8% for men.
Past this point, the numbers begin to taper off quite a bit. For those in their 30’s, both men and women have an average of less than 10%. Interestingly enough, those ages 54-64 have seen their divorce rate quadruple in the past 30 years. This is mainly attributed to the stigma around divorce become much lesser in recent times.
Social media’s impact
New divorce statistics also show the increasing impact social media has on marriages. In fact, one in three divorces now start because of an online affair. 14% of partners also claim they look through the other’s social media activity for any signs of infidelity. This could be anything from seeing their comments, likes, or who they follow, to trying to access their accounts and see their private messages.
Even if it alone doesn’t lead to divorce, social media can play a role. 25% of couples have weekly fights over what they post or do on sites like Facebook. One in five partners have claimed looking at the other’s page makes them feel uneasy, and one in seven claim social media has made them consider a divorce.