How Many Marriages End in Divorce in the UK? (2025 Overview)

 
10/06/2025
2 min read

Quick Answer

While it's commonly said that around 1 in 2 marriages end in divorce, the reality is a bit more nuanced. The most recent complete data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) refers to 2021, where the number of divorces granted in England and Wales was 113,505. This represents a 9.6% increase from 2020.

Key Divorce Statistics from ONS (2021)

  • 113,505 divorces were granted in England and Wales in 2021.
  • Divorce rates:
    • 9.3 per 1,000 married men
    • 9.4 per 1,000 married women
  • 63% of divorce applications were made by women (in opposite-sex marriages).
  • The average duration of marriage at the time of divorce was 12.3 years.
  • For couples who married in 2011, fewer than 1 in 5 marriages had ended in divorce by their 10-year anniversary.

Limitations of the 2021 Data

  • The figures are not up to date and don’t reflect post-pandemic trends or the full effect of the no-fault divorce law introduced in April 2022.
  • The statistics only cover married couples, excluding cohabiting couples, whose relationship breakdowns aren’t legally recorded.
  • No regional breakdown is included in headline data — although locally, Blackpool had the highest divorce rate in the North West in 2021.
  • It’s unclear how many divorces are for first-time marriages vs. subsequent marriages.

Family Court Statistics (Q1 2024)

Newer data from January to March 2024 provides additional insights:

  • 27,908 divorce applications were made — an 11% decrease from Q1 2023.
  • 21,662 final orders of divorce were granted — a 19% increase compared to the previous year’s same period.

These figures reflect an evolving legal process and changing behaviours, possibly linked to the no-fault divorce law that’s reduced initial barriers to filing.

No-Fault Divorce in 2025: Simpler But Still Emotional

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, in effect since April 2022, means:

  • You no longer need to prove fault, like adultery or unreasonable behaviour.
  • The process is more streamlined and less adversarial.
  • However, divorces still take around 6 months, due to two required “cooling off” stages designed to allow reflection and reduce rash decisions.

Divorce in Practice: More Than Just Filing Papers

For couples divorcing in 2025, the real stress often lies in:

  1. Parenting arrangements — Where and how children will live, and how time will be split.
  2. Financial settlements — Agreeing on division of property, pensions, and savings.

These issues can be resolved without going to court, through:

  • Mediation
  • Collaborative law
  • One-lawyer divorce services
  • Family arbitration

Conclusion: So, Do Half of All UK Marriages End in Divorce?

Not quite — the oft-quoted "50%" stat is more myth than reality, at least in modern times. Based on current trends:

  • Around 33–38% of marriages are likely to end in divorce, especially if you factor in more recent cultural, legal, and social shifts.
  • Divorce is still common, but not the majority outcome.

Need help with your divorce or separation?

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