Statistics On Divorce

Divorce has become a common occurrence both in the United States and around the world. According to divorce statistics, it is estimated that between 40 percent and 50 percent of first marriages end in divorce in the United States. In some countries, divorce rates for first marriages exceed 50 percent. Second and third marriages in the United States have even higher divorce rates. According to statistics, second marriages fail at a rate of 60-67 percent, and third marriages fail at a rate of 73-74 percent.

Statistics on divorce show that there are number of reasons why marriages fail. According to divorced couples, the number one reason that marriage fails is due to either a lack of communication or poor communication. The second most cited reason for divorce is martial conflicts and arguments. Thirdly, many divorced couples say infidelity led to divorce. While these are the primary reasons cited for divorce, statistics show that there are several underlying factors that contribute to these trends. These factors include, but are not limited to: age, education, income, religion, and cohabitation.

Age

Statistics show that those who get married in their mid to late-twenties are less likely to get divorced that those who marry at a younger age, and that this age group tends to be more satisfied in marriage than those couple who marry later in life. For divorced couples under the age of 20, the women are more likely to initiate the divorce; whereas for divorced couples over the age of 20, the men are more likely to initiate the divorce.

Education and Income

Education and income both play a role in divorce statistics. Data shows that a married couple with a higher education and a higher income is less likely to divorce than a couple with lower education and lower income.

Religion

While several religious denominations show a slightly lower divorce rate of 21-34 percent, other data suggests that those with no religious affiliation have a lower divorce rate than those with reported religious affiliations. It has also been suggested that pastors of local congregations, for various reasons, may not be aware of how many divorced couples are actually in, or have been part of, their congregations.

Cohabitation

Reports suggest that between 40 percent and 85 percent of couples who lived together before getting married had the marriage end in divorce.

Divorce statistics indicate that about one-fourth of adults in the United States have been divorced at least once in their lifetime. Characteristics of individuals that have a higher probability of divorce include:

• younger age at time of marriage
• lower education
• has children from a previous relationship
• cohabitation prior to marriage
• sexual activity prior to marriage

According to statistics on divorce, it does not appear that only one factor contributes to a couple's decision to divorce. Although three primary reasons have been identified by divorced couples as the leading causes of divorce, it seems that underlying factors may contribute to these issues as well.

Marriage Separation Statistics

Unfortunately, marriage separation is insufficiently researched and studied nowadays. Scientists explain it by too many complex factors, which would need to be studied in order to generate statics, such as:

- How old were the spouses?

- Was it their first marriage?

- Did the couple have children?

And the most important factor:

- Did the couple reconcile after their separation (separations), or did they divorce?

One of the very few available statistics nowadays states that about 10% of all currently married couples in the United States have separated and reconciled. However, yet another statistical data shows that about 44% of divorcing couples had separated and reconciled prior to their divorce.

There's a clear discrepancy in the above numbers. Is it 10% or 44%? After doing some research on my own, I started to lean towards the 44% mark. However, neither data provides enough information on whether it was a sudden marriage separation, a planned separation, or what were the reasons for the separation etc.

All marital statistics show that both, the marriage rates and the divorce rates are dropping at a similar rate.
For example:

In 1990 there were 7.1 marriages in Pennsylvania (the lowest number by states) and 99.0 marriages in Nevada (the highest number by states), per 1,000 people.

And in 2004 there were 5.9 marriages in Pennsylvania (one of the lowest numbers by states) and 62.4 marriages in Nevada (the highest number by states), per 1,000 people.

This indicates a median drop in marriages in those two states by 27% from 1990 to 2004.

In 1990 there were 3.3 divorces in Pennsylvania (one of the lowest number by states) and 11.4 divorces in Nevada (the highest number by states), per 1,000 people.

And in 2004 there were 3.0 divorces in Pennsylvania (one of the lowest numbers by states) and 6.4 divorces in Nevada (the highest number by states), per 1,000 people.

This indicates a median drop in divorces in those two states by 27.5% from 1990 to 2004.

Although the reasons for marriage separation are many, don't become a statistic! Click here to discover how to get the magic back into your relationship by using simple but effective means.

Divorce Statistics

Searching for divorce statistics? STOP think about why you are looking for them.

If you are considering divorce stop looking at divorce statistics as a way to justify what you are planning to do. So what if the divorce statistics show that nearly half of marriages end in divorce, do you really want to think of your marriage as a statistic?

So you want to get divorced does it really matter how many people have been there before you? Can a divorce statistic really help you make such a life changing decision? And if it can shouldn't you ask yourself why?

A divorce decision should be about you and your partner not about a stack of failed marriages which form part of the latest divorce statistics. You are just kidding yourself if you believe divorce can be justified on the grounds of the misfortune of others. Don't we spend our lives trying not to become a mere statistic so shouldn't it be the same with divorce.

Step back and THINK. What makes you believe you should be seeking a divorce?

Your decision is going to affect the whole family, just not you and your partner so make sure you are 100% sure there is no other option before you communicate your decision to seek a divorce. Before you become a statistic seriously think about why you feel you need to go down the divorce route and consider:

• the emotional impact

• the financial impact

• the impact on the children

• the impact on your home and your family life

• will you actually be any happier

Just another statistic for you - on average couples who get divorced are no happier after they get a divorce than before and are, on average, no happier in a new relationship.

Sorry I side tracked, so back to the matter of divorce statistics and divorce. So what comes hand in hand with divorce? Your standard of living is likely to drop, your social life might suffer and your children might struggle to cope with the loss of a parent in their day to day lives to name just a few of the downsides.

I'm not pointing out how hard it's likely to be to try and stop you seeking a divorce, I am just saying seriously think about it, make an informed decision based on your own personal circumstances and not on a load of divorce statistics. Make sure it is 100% what you want before you do it.

Have you explored all the options and ruled out any hope of being able to save your marriage:

• Is there absolutely no way of saving your marriage?

• Have you tried marriage counselling

• Have you established the route cause of your marriage problems?

• Is there honestly no way of eliminating the cause? Is divorce the only way out?

• What about on-line help?

• Have you tried talking your marriage problems with a trusted family member or a friend? They might help you see your relationship from a new perspective.

• Is divorce really what you want?

Divorce is a major step despite the divorce statistics it's not easy either emotionally or financially. All's I ask is that you explore every options and be sure of what you are doing before taking that final step.

For more on divorce, separation and common marriage problems visit http://www.commonmarriageproblems.marriagehealth.com/Separation_&_Divorce.html.