‘I turbocharged my career then pressed eject’: why couples are getting divorced later
Summary
Studies show that marriages are lasting longer before couples get divorced in several countries including England, the US, Germany, and the Netherlands. Financial reasons and the complexity of separating lives, especially with changes in divorce laws, may explain why couples delay divorce decisions.Key Facts
- In England and Wales, the average marriage length before divorce reached 13 years in 2025, up from 8.9 years in 1985.
- Fewer couples are divorcing within their first 10 years of marriage compared to previous decades.
- No-fault divorce laws, which make it easier to divorce without blame, were introduced in England in 2022.
- Financial issues like taxes, mortgages, childcare costs, and reduced legal aid make divorce more complicated and expensive.
- Similar trends of longer marriages before divorce are seen in the US, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
- Women tend to be financially disadvantaged after divorce, so some wait to advance their careers before divorcing.
- Couples often take time trying to fix their relationships before deciding on divorce, especially when marrying later in life.
- The different ways countries report divorce statistics mean exact comparisons are difficult, but longer marriages before divorce is a common pattern.
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