Divorce feels more common than ever. But do statistics support that feeling? Believe it or not, the United States saw a 40-year low in divorce rates in 2020 and 2021, averaging about 14 divorces per 1,000 women. Even though that number may seem relatively low, there were estimated to be more than 948,000 divorces in 2021 alone.
And 2022 saw a slight increase in divorce rates. Recent studies show that a little more than 14.5 divorce occurred per every 1,000 women, totaling more than 989,000 divorces in 2022. Florida ranked in the middle of the pack for 2022, coming in at 24th on the list of states with the highest divorce rates, with 14.99 divorce per 1,000 women.
What causes fluctuations in divorce rates?
There are several factors that can contribute to individual divorces. Looking at the divorce rate in its totality, though, it’s hard to gauge what causes variation. However, studies have found some interesting correlations that are worth mentioning here.
- Knowing someone who is divorced increases your risk: Divorce is rather prevalent in our society. But the number of divorcing couples who know others who have been divorced is staggering. In fact, some studies have found that 92% of those who seek divorce know someone else who has been divorced. Is that mere coincidence? Maybe, but maybe not.
- Most divorces aren’t mutually initiated: In 73% of divorces, the marriage dissolution is initiated by one spouse. This often means that there’s disagreement about the viability of the marriage and whether it can be salvaged. This highlights how individual, case-specific factors can are a driving force behind many divorces.
- Those who have been married for 10 years or more are less likely to divorce: Only 4% of those who have been married for 10 years or more wind up getting divorced. Most divorces occur in marriages that have lasted between three and seven years. Why? Maybe the luster of a newly formed relationship wears off at that point, or maybe it takes that long for a spouse’s true behaviors to reveal themselves.
- Lack of compatibility is key: As many as 59% of individuals who get divorced in their first year of marriage say that their marriage failed due to simple lack of compatibility. Oddly enough, though, individuals who live together prior to marriage are also more likely to get divorced, with 11% less of those marriages lasting 20 years or more compared to those who wait until marriage to start living together.
The factors that contribute to divorce on an individual level are varied. However, lack of commitment, infidelity, and abuse rank high on the list of factors that drive divorces. Substance abuse, lack of family support, and money problems can also play a role. If these are issues in your marriage, then you might want to start thinking about whether divorce is right for you.
Don’t allow yourself to be trapped in a bad marriage
Marriages can quickly turn toxic, leaving you exposed to physical, emotional, psychological, and financial harm. You don’t want to jeopardize your future and your happiness on a failed relationship.
That’s why if your marriage is struggling, then you should start assessing whether divorce is right for you. If it is, then take the time needed to diligently assess your situation so that you can develop the divorce legal strategy necessary to position yourself for post-divorce success. Hopefully then you can secure the future you deserve.