The Divorce Numbers That May Surprise You

So you’ve heard that one out of every two marriages in the United States ends in divorce.  Pretty harrowing statistics, right?  But before you become too overwhelmed with the dismal numbers, you should acquaint yourself with a few more statistics. Who knows—maybe you’ll find out something that surprises you!

News You Didn’t Expect 

For a lot of people, news that the number of divorces in this country is in decline is a bit startling.  Nevertheless, the US Census reports that both marriage and divorce are in decline.  In fact, while chances for a marriage were at about 50:50 a few years ago, now the overall success rate is at roughly 60 percent.  When you break it down into subgroups, the numbers vary.  But, for a variety of reasons, the United States is experiencing its lowest divorce rate in about half a century.  Here are some little-known facts:

• The country’s divorce rate dropped from 4/1,000 in 2000 to just 2.9/1,000 in 2018 (although it was 3.6/1,000 in Florida);
• When considering just those eligible for divorce, there were 16.1/1,000;
• Florida has one of the highest divorce rates in the nation, at 19/1,000;
• The divorce for same-sex couples is lower than the rate for heterosexual couples;
• In 2018, there were almost 800,000 divorces across the United States;
• The average age when people divorce is 45;
• The highest rates of divorce are among Baby Boomers—those 60 and older;
• The lowest rates of divorce are among Millennials—those aged 18-32;
• A large number of divorces take place in the first two years of marriage, followed by years 5-8 of a marriage;
• While women are statistically more likely to stay longer in a first marriage, the opposite is true for subsequent marriages;
• About one-third of couples who undergo divorce are experiencing unemployment issues, and over 10 percent live below the poverty line;
• Couples with minor children make up roughly 25 percent of divorces;
• Native Americans have the highest rate of divorce, while Asian Americans have the lowest;
• Couples whose parents are still married are less likely to end up divorced themselves;
• While one in five children born to married parents will see their parents split by age 9, that number rises to one in two children born to cohabiting parents;
• Divorcees cite lack of commitment as the number one reason for their split, followed by routine arguing, infidelity, and having married too young.

Are You Considering Divorce? 

Whatever your situation or the statistical probabilities, we all know that divorce is a highly personal decision, and every divorce deserves personalized attention.  The experienced Boca Raton divorce attorneys at WiseLieberman provide precisely that.  Contact our office for a confidential consultation today.