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Divorce Statistics

Divorce Statistics

U.S. Divorce Statistics

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U.S. 2022 Divorce Statistics, compiled with insights from our Philadelphia divorce lawyers, indicate a complex marital landscape with 40-50% of first marriages and 60-67% of second marriages end in divorce.


Divorce rates in the United States have been steadily declining over the past few decades, but unfortunately, the divorce rate is still higher than it was in the early 1970s. According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 40-50% of first marriages end in divorce. The divorce rate for second marriages is even higher, with approximately 60-67% of second marriages ending in divorce.

What is the Divorce Rate in the U.S.?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the divorce rate in the United States was 3.2 per 1,000 population in 2019, down from 3.6 per 1,000 population in 2018. This means that approximately 827,261 divorces were recorded in 2019, with the total number of divorces since 2000 topping 8.3 million.

What Percent of Marriages End in Divorce?

According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 40-50% of first marriages end in divorce. The divorce rate for second marriages is even higher, with approximately 60-67% of second marriages ending in divorce.

How Many Marriages End in Divorce?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 2,245,404 marriages in 2019, and 827,261 divorces, which means that approximately 37% of marriages end in divorce.

What is the Current Divorce Rate?

The current divorce rate in the United States is 3.2 per 1,000 population according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This means that approximately 827,261 divorces were recorded in 2019, with the total number of divorces since 2000 topping 8.3 million.

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Who is Getting Divorce, When, and Why?

The divorce rate in the United States is highest among adults aged 25-39, with the majority of divorces occurring at the end of the first five years of marriage. The most common reasons for divorce are communication issues, infidelity, and financial problems, among others.

Median Duration of First Marriages That End in Divorce

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the median duration of first marriages that end in divorce is 8 years.

Median Duration of Second Marriages

The median duration of second marriages that end in divorce is shorter than the median duration of first marriages. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the median duration of second marriages that end in divorce is 7 years.

U.S. Divorce Rate by Occupation

Divorce rates vary by occupation, with some occupations having a higher divorce rate than others. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the occupations with the highest divorce rates are construction workers, food servers, doctors, and salespeople.

Military Divorce

Divorce is more common among military personnel than it is among civilians. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the divorce rate for active-duty military members was 3.7% in 2018, down from 3.9% in 2017.

Divorce Rate in Specific Population Segments

Divorce rates vary among different population segments. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the divorce rate for individuals aged 25-39 is significantly higher than that for individuals aged 40-54. Additionally, The National Center for Family & Marriage Research found that the divorce rate among late-life divorce, or for adults over age 50, doubled between 1990 and 2014, and the number tripled for those over 65.

Additionally, the divorce rate for individuals with a high school education or less is higher than the divorce rate for individuals with a college education or more.

Same-Sex Divorce Statistics

The divorce rate for same-sex couples is lower than the divorce rate for opposite-sex couples. According to the Williams Institute, the divorce rate for same-sex couples is 1.1%, compared to the divorce rate for opposite-sex couples, which is 2.9%.

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When Do People Divorce?

The majority of divorces occur at the end of the first five years of marriage, according to the American Psychological Association. Additionally, the divorce rate increases sharply in the first year after marriage and then gradually declines over time. Divorce filing rates peak in March and August, our firm also has noticed an increase in divorce filings in January, which we call The January Effect.

Why People are Divorcing in the United States

The most common reasons for divorce are communication issues, infidelity, and financial problems. Additionally, other factors such as substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental health issues can contribute to divorce.

What Makes People More or Less Likely to Divorce?

Several factors can make people more or less likely to divorce. These include age at the time of marriage, level of education, religious beliefs, and income level. Additionally, people who are more likely to divorce are those who marry young, have a lower level of education, are not religious, and have lower incomes.

How Did Covid Impact Divorce Rates?

Covid has had a significant impact on divorce rates in the United States. According to the American Psychological Association, the number of divorces spiked during the pandemic as couples had to face extended periods of time in close quarters with each other, leading to increased conflict and stress.

Client Testimonials

Here's what our clients have to say about working with us. Please note, results may vary based on individual circumstances.

Melinda Previtera, Esq. came highly recommended to our family. Her knowledge base, professionalism, and compassion paved the way for a successful outcome. Melinda is efficient, detailed, and informative. She helps manage expectations, and postures her client for a fair and equitable result. We are happy to recommend Melinda!

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My experience was very good. Everyone was professional and attentive to my needs, keeping me updated every step of the way. I couldn’t ask for a better result, highly recommended.

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My marriage life has been a hell for me for the past four years until I decided to put an end to what has to be ended. Choosing a lawyer was another additional stressful part of the long process. I’m so glad that I’ve found the right one for me at Petrelli Previtera. Life isn’t always fair, but at least having her in my corner, felt even better. I couldn’t recommend her highly enough!

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