Important Divorce Statistics to Understand: Do 50% of Marriages End in Divorce?
Posted on: March 25, 2020
Many people have heard this famous divorce statistic over and over again: Half of all marriages end in divorce. Is this true? Does it matter? Keep reading to learn about this and other supposed statistics to get the facts behind them. Then contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 to learn about your divorce options, including divorce mediation.
Do Half of All Marriages End in Divorce?
It depends on whom you ask. There are some sources that claim that the number is between 40% and 50%. Others claim that it is much too difficult to calculate a real divorce rate. Know that the data generally used to calculate divorce rates in the U.S. is far from perfect. For example, the CDC has data for marriages and divorces, but it does not include data from all states. The data from those states could potentially substantially change the overall rate of divorce in the United States.
Does This Surprise You? The Divorce Rate Was at a 40-Year Low in 2018
This goes against what many people think about marriage, but in 2018 Bowling Green State University found that the divorce rate was at a 40-year low in 2018. According to their study, there were 15.7 divorces per 1,000 married women. The state with the highest divorce rate was Arkansas, with 25.9 divorces per 1,000 women. California was ranked 38th with 13.8 divorces per 1,000 married women.
Specific Divorce Rates Are Another Issue Entirely
Of course, the stats used above are for all women. When you factor in age and other types of information, the rate can be higher or lower. Data shows that people in their late 20s have less than 50% chance of divorcing in their lifetime and the chance that they stay married has been rising year over year.
To get a real look at divorce statistics, we would need to look at a person’s age, gender, level of education, whether or not they have children, socioeconomic status, and other factors. Keep in mind as well that only in recent years have same-sex partners been included in these stats. As the societal norms change we can expect that many things will change – including divorce rates.
The Most Common Reasons for Divorce
Studies show that there are many potential reasons that a person may decide to divorce. Examples include infidelity, financial issues, lack of intimacy, issues related to having or raising children, alcohol or drug abuse, different values, arguing, domestic violence, and couples simply moving apart.
If you are considering getting a divorce, we strongly recommend that you talk to a family law attorney as soon as possible. You can contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell for a consultation that is both free and confidential. You do not have to be sure – you can call us just to get the information you need to make the right decision for your own needs. Call now at (949) 585-9055 .
