Divorce rate among heterosexual couples up in 2016

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released their latest statistical bulletin which reveals that the number of divorces in England and Wales in 2016 between opposite sex couples has increased by 5.8% compared with 2015. The figures show that there were 106,959 divorces of opposite sex couples in 2016 and that the divorce rate for opposite sex couples was highest among men aged 45 to 49 and women in their thirties (ages 30 to 39). There were 112 divorces of same sex couples in 2016; of these 78% were among female couples.

A spokesperson for the ONS, Nicola Haines, said:

‘Although the number of divorces of opposite sex couples in England and Wales increased by 5.8% in 2016 compared with 2015, the number remains 30% lower than the most recent peak in 2003; divorce rates for men and women have seen similar changes. This is the second year that divorces among same sex couples have been possible since the introduction of same sex marriages in March 2014. Our latest marriage figures show that of the 4,850 marriages formed between same sex couples in 2014, 56% were female couples. In 2016, there were 112 divorces among same sex couples, with female couples accounting for 78% of these.’

The full Divorces in England and Wales statistical bulletin can be found here

Amanda Erskine is a solicitor in the Family department at Barker Gotelee Solicitors.

Ipswich Family Solicitors – for more information on our range of legal services, please call the team on 01473 611211 or email [email protected]