Since the 1960s there has been a great increase in the number of divorces in the UK. The number of divorces doubled between 1961 and 1969 and doubled again by 1972
Divorces
The trend of divorces peaked in 1993 at 165,000. Since then divorces have fallen, but still stood at 118,000 in 2012. About 6 times higher than in 1961. 2022 there were 80,057 divorces.
Divorce patterns
40% of all marriages end in divorce. A reason for this is that fewer people are marrying in the first place and are choosing to cohabit instead.
Women
65% of all applications for divorce now come from women.
