The institutions of marriage and divorce are evolving, with significant changes in recent decades following updates around the world regarding international divorce and, naturally, shifting perceptions of relationships.
An increasing number of people are choosing to wait longer to get married, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z. According to a recent report released by the Office for National Statistics, the average age of marriage for adults in England and Wales has risen considerably since the 1970s, while marriage rates are declining. The population of unmarried individuals aged 25 to 35 has more than doubled over the past three decades, soaring from 2.7 million in 1991 to 5.8 million in 2023.
Utilising the most recent data from The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), we have analysed the shifting patterns in countries across different continents. Divorce rates are calculated as the number of divorces per 1,000 people annually, while marriage trends are measured using the same standards.
The divorce capitals of the world
Divorce has become a widely accepted topic in numerous regions across the globe. As social norms evolve, gender equality improves, and legal processes become more accessible, many countries have experienced a significant increase in divorce rates.
Costa Rica: 2.8 divorces per 1,000 people
Costa Rica has surprisingly topped our study with the highest divorce rate globally with a rate of 2.8 divorces per 1,000 individuals. The combination of accessible divorce options, growing financial autonomy, and shifting cultural perspectives on marriage is likely to have led to the country’s elevated divorce rate.
Denmark: 2.7 divorces per 1,000 people
Denmark has the second-highest divorce rate in the world, with 2.7 divorces per 1,000 individuals., Denmark’s renowned social welfare system allows individuals to part ways without enduring significant financial difficulties, which further influences the country’s heightened divorce rate.
Latvia: 2.7 divorces per 1,000 people
With a similar divorce rate to Denmark, Latvia places third in the study with 2.7 divorces per 1,000 people.
Countries also among the top 10 include Lithuania, Cyprus, Sweden, Finland, Luxembourg, the United States, and Chile. Notably, this highlights a wider trend throughout the Nordic region.
Where in the world are divorce rates increasing?
In the last 20 years, divorce rates have escalated in several countries, particularly in Southern Europe, where the increases have been most notable.
Spain tops the list with a huge 77.78% rise in divorces, followed by Italy at 57.14% and Cyprus at 52.94%. These figures reflect changing perspectives and legal reforms that have facilitated easier access to divorce. In more traditionally conservative areas such as Greece and Mexico, divorce rates have also climbed by 40%, indicating a growing acceptance of separation as a legitimate choice.
Eastern and Central European countries such as Croatia (30%), Poland (27.27%), and Switzerland (26.67%) have also experienced notable increases. Interestingly, Nordic countries, which already have high divorce rates, have only seen slight increases, with Sweden at 4.17%, suggesting that divorce rates in these areas may have stabilised in line with attitudes towards divorce. Latvia, despite having the third-highest divorce rate globally, has only seen an increase of 3.85%.
The countries with the lowest divorce rates
Malta has the lowest divorce rate globally, with 0.5 divorces per 1,000 people, due to historically strict marriage laws and attitudes rooted in Catholicism. Although divorce was legalised in 2011, religious and cultural factors remain.
Ireland has a divorce rate of 0.7 divorces per 1,000 people. While divorce was only legalised in 1996, cultural ties to Catholicism still shape attitudes toward marriage. The influence of the Catholic Church and strict legal criteria for divorce contribute to the low rate. Mexico also has a divorce rate of 0.7 divorces per 1,000 people.
Several other countries that rank among the top 10 include Slovenia, Italy, New Zealand, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Greece. In Slovenia, a strong emphasis on family values and cultural norms supporting marital stability are significant factors. Italy’s low divorce rate may be attributed to Catholic influences and a more gradual change in societal views on marriage and divorce. New Zealand also maintains relatively low divorce rates, influenced by its changing social dynamics.
In Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Greece, economic challenges, a strong emphasis on family, and a slower acceptance of divorce within society contribute to their low divorce rates.
Where in the world are divorce rates decreasing?
Divorce rates have seen a notable decline in various countries throughout the past 20 years, especially in Western countries where marriage dynamics are changing.
New Zealand places first with a 52% drop in divorce rates, while the United States follows with a 42.5% reduction, indicating a shift in relationship stability.
In Europe, countries like Estonia (36.67%), Hungary (34.78%), and the United Kingdom (34.62%) have also reported decreases, likely due to shifting views on marriage, a rise in cohabitation, and a focus on long-term compatibility before marriage. Even countries that were previously associated with high divorce rates, such as Belgium (30.77%), Austria (29.17%), and Germany (29.17%), have seen significant declines.
Slovenia (27.27%) and the Czech Republic (31.03%) are experiencing similar patterns, hinting at a wider European trend towards either more stable marriages or fewer formal unions. These reductions may be attributed to increasing average ages at marriage, a preference for long-term cohabitation before tying the knot, and changing attitudes amongst society that value compatibility and financial security over traditional expectations of marriage.
The marriage capitals of the world
Cyprus: 8.9 marriages per 1,000 people
Cyprus, known for its popularity as a wedding destination, attracts couples from around the world to celebrate their nuptials. It is therefore no surprise that the country boasts consistently high marriage rates. Particularly popular amongst couples from the UK, Russia, Israel, and the Middle East, the ease of application is often a deciding factor due to the availability of straightforward, picturesque ceremonies.
Hungary: 6.9 marriages per 1,000 people
Traditional values are deep-rooted in Hungarian society; one of the reasons the country has the second-highest rate of marriage globally.
Marriage is emphasised as a key social institution, with many viewing it as an essential part of both life and family formation. Cohabitation without marriage is increasingly accepted in various regions of Europe; however, Hungary still holds relatively traditional perspectives, where marriage is typically regarded as the favoured path to beginning a family.
Turkey: 5.8 marriages per 1,000 people
Turkey places third in the study, driven by a mix of societal, religious, and cultural influences. The country’s largely Muslim population, which holds religious values that prioritise the sanctity of marriage, significantly contributes to heightened rates of formal unions.
Other countries that rank among the top 10 for the highest marriage rates include Latvia, Lithuania, Israel, the United States, Iceland, Denmark, and Estonia. In Latvia and Lithuania, cultural traditions that prioritise family and marital stability contribute to a more traditional perspective on marriage.
In the United States, the relatively high marriage rates can be attributed to a mix of cultural expectations, economic benefits, and a strong emphasis on family building, even as trends have evolved in recent years. Iceland and Denmark, also experience high marriage rates, although their acceptance of cohabitation before marriage may play a role.
The countries with the lowest marriage rates
Countries such as Italy, Portugal, and Ireland exhibit some of the lowest marriage rates, according to the data.
This trend has been shaped by a mix of social, cultural, and economic influences. In Italy, the marriage rate stands at 1.6 marriages per 1,000 people, largely due to a societal shift where younger individuals are increasingly valuing personal freedom and postponing or even deciding against marriage. Economic factors, including financial instability and high rates of youth unemployment, may further discourage many Italians from tying the knot.
Likewise, Portugal’s marriage rate is 1.8 per 1,000 people, where economic hardships and a more liberal perspective on relationships have led to a decrease in couples deciding to take their nuptials.
In Ireland, with a rate of 1.9 marriages per 1,000 people, changing cultural views, especially in urban areas, have made marriage less central to modern family life, prompting many to choose less formal partnerships. This reflects a common trend of shifting attitudes toward marriage, where personal preferences, economic realities, and changing social dynamics play a significant role in the decision to marry.
Divorce rates have been on the rise in many countries, particularly in Southern Europe. This trend is due to changing perspectives, legal reforms, and increasing acceptance of separation. On the other hand, some countries have experienced a notable decline in divorce rates, suggesting a shift towards more stable marriages or fewer formal unions.
Where in the world is marriage most likely to end in divorce?
Portugal tops the list of countries where marriage is most likely to end in divorce, with a staggering 94%, meaning nearly all marriages end in separation.
Spain (84%) and Luxembourg (79%) also appear in the top 3, reflecting a broader European trend where cohabitation is becoming more and more popular. Eastern European countries follow close behind with Russia (73%), Ukraine (70%), and Belarus (60%) showing similarly high divorce rates.
The high divorce rates in Finland (55%), Belgium (53%), and France (51%) demonstrate a growing prioritisation of individual happiness over remaining in an unhappy marriage.
Interestingly, Cuba (55%) is the only non-European country on the list. Accessibility of marriage and divorce due to government policies, along with cultural norms and economic challenges, may be contributing factors to the high divorce rate.
Where does the UK sit?
The United Kingdom, while not among the top 10 countries with the highest divorce rates, still holds a significant position globally. It ranks 7th in the world for the total number of divorces in 2020, with 103,592 recorded, and has a divorce rate of 1.7. Interestingly, the UK has experienced a substantial decrease in divorces over the past two decades, with a decline of 34%.
Despite this, overall, approximately 40% of marriages in the UK end in divorce.
The UK maintains a high ranking in terms of marriages, placing 6th globally for the total number of marriages in 2020 at 219,850. This position is just below Mexico, which recorded 335,563 marriages, despite the UK having approximately half of Mexico’s population. However, marriage rates in the UK have also seen a decline, dropping by 11.9% over the past 20 years.
The data also reveals that a significant proportion of married individuals in the UK have been married before, with nearly 1 in 4 (22%) having had at least one previous marriage.
Marriage rates vary significantly across countries, influenced by cultural, religious, and social factors. Understanding the contrasting trends in divorce and marriage rates provides valuable insights into evolving societal attitudes and family dynamics worldwide.
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