UK Divorce Rates Are Falling—But the Story Isn’t So Simple

Divorce in the UK has long been a cultural and legal barometer of how society views marriage, relationships, and personal freedom. And according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the narrative is shifting again—but this time, it's in reverse.

The number of UK couples filing for divorce within the first ten years of marriage has declined significantly since the turn of the 21st century. While the 1990s and early 2000s saw a steep rise in marital breakdowns, more recent trends show a generation of couples who are more likely to stay together—or at the very least, delay the commitment of marriage in the first place.

So, are modern couples simply more resilient? Or is something deeper happening beneath the surface?

Fewer Divorces in the First Decade of Marriage

ONS data reveals a notable drop in early divorces. Of those married in 1995, about one in four—25%—were divorced by 2005. By comparison, only 17% of couples who tied the knot in 2012 had divorced by 2022. That’s a nearly 30% reduction in a trend once considered a hallmark of contemporary relationship instability.

This represents the lowest early divorce rate since the 1960s. Back in 1965, only 10% of couples had divorced within ten years. But that was before a series of legal reforms—particularly in the 1970s—made divorce simpler, less expensive, and far less socially taboo.

The most recent available figures from 2022 show 78,759 divorces granted in England and Wales—the lowest number since 1971. In raw numbers and proportions alike, modern marriages appear to be more stable, at least on the surface.

But these figures invite a broader, more nuanced question: Why are fewer couples getting divorced today, despite the well-documented pressures of modern life?

Shifting Social Norms and Cohabitation Trends

A primary driver of this shift may be a change in how society views marriage itself. Fewer people are choosing to marry at all, opting instead for long-term cohabitation without the legal formalities.

Mark Widdowson, a relationship counsellor, has observed a sharp rise in couples choosing to live together without tying the knot. “There’s been a visible shift,” he notes. “Many couples are making the decision to cohabit indefinitely. And if fewer people are getting married, naturally, fewer are eligible to divorce.”

ONS statistics back this up: marriage rates have fallen steadily since the 1970s, and while civil partnerships and other relationship structures are on the rise, they don't carry the same legal requirement—or risk—of divorce.

There’s also a generational aspect at play. Millennials and Gen Z, having grown up during the peak of divorce culture, are more cautious. Many are prioritizing financial stability, career development, and emotional maturity before marrying, resulting in unions that—once formed—may be more durable.

The Legal Reform Factor: No-Fault Divorce

A major legal milestone arrived in 2022 with the implementation of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act (2020), which introduced "no-fault" divorce in England and Wales. For the first time, couples no longer needed to assign blame—such as adultery or unreasonable behaviour—to dissolve a marriage.

While it’s still early to gauge the long-term impact of this reform, early indicators suggest it’s fostering less adversarial, more collaborative divorce processes. And paradoxically, that may even be keeping more marriages intact. When divorce ceases to be a moral or legal battleground, couples may be more inclined to work through challenges, knowing that ending a marriage is no longer the nuclear option.

Moreover, the simplified process could be encouraging delayed decisions. Some couples may be opting for trial separations, informal arrangements, or professional therapy rather than racing to the courthouse.

Economic Pressures and the Cost of Breaking Up

Another factor cooling the divorce rate? Cold, hard cash.

According to Legal & General Retail, nearly 20% of divorces over the past five years have been delayed or cancelled due to financial concerns. Divorce, once considered an emotional decision, has increasingly become a financial calculation.

Court fees, solicitor costs, housing affordability, and the cost of living crisis all compound the difficulty. For many, the logistical headache of dividing assets, finding two new homes, and adjusting to single-income lifestyles is too much to bear—especially in today’s economic climate.

For lower- and middle-income households, divorce may be financially out of reach, particularly for couples with children or shared property. In this context, economic stagnation becomes an unlikely stabiliser of marriages—not because relationships are stronger, but because breaking them apart is too expensive.

An Age Divide: The Rise of Grey Divorces

While younger couples may be staying together longer—or avoiding marriage altogether—older couples are experiencing a different trend altogether: a spike in so-called "grey divorces."

ONS data confirms that divorce rates among people aged 60 and over have risen sharply in recent decades. Unlike previous generations who might have felt trapped by convention, today’s older adults are more willing—and more financially capable—of starting over.

Social stigma around later-in-life separation has largely vanished, and retirement-age individuals increasingly prioritize personal happiness and self-fulfilment. With pensions, property, and investments (including modern assets like cryptocurrency) on the table, many older adults feel they can afford a fresh start.

These splits often involve complex financial settlement agreements, outlining the division of wealth, pensions, and savings. While that may sound daunting, many older couples find it more manageable than younger couples burdened with mortgages, childcare, and unstable employment.

Interestingly, for some grey divorcers, the no-fault divorce law has made separation even more appealing—removing the drama and judgment that once surrounded these decisions.

The Bigger Picture: Stability or Reinvention?

The fall in divorce rates, particularly among younger couples, is not simply a sign of improved marital health. It’s part of a broader cultural realignment: fewer marriages, more non-traditional relationships, economic pressures, and evolving legal frameworks.

In a world where cohabitation is common, marriage has become less of a rite of passage and more of a deliberate, strategic decision. Couples are older when they marry, more financially stable, and often more emotionally prepared. That alone may be contributing to the longer shelf life of modern marriages.

At the same time, the growing number of older couples filing for divorce shows that commitment is not necessarily lifelong, even in an age when separation is easier than ever. The lesson? While younger relationships may look more stable on paper, marriage remains as fluid and personal as ever—just playing by a different set of rules.

Where We Go From Here

Divorce statistics are more than numbers—they’re reflections of how society evolves, how people prioritize their lives, and how institutions adapt. From economic stress to legal reform and shifting norms, the reasons behind today’s declining divorce rates are complex and multifaceted.

For some, this reversal signals a hopeful return to relationship stability. For others, it’s a sign that marriage itself is being redefined—or even quietly phased out.

Whatever the case, one thing’s clear: the 21st-century love story is being rewritten.

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