'I turbocharged my career then pressed eject': why couples are getting divorced later
Financial pressures, legal changes and shifting attitudes may help explain why couples are staying married for longer
TL;DR
- The median length of marriages ending in divorce in England and Wales reached 13 years in 2025, the longest on record.
- The proportion of couples divorcing within their first decade of marriage has decreased.
- Financial difficulties, including higher living costs, tax, and mortgage rates, are hypothesized as reasons for delayed divorces.
- No-fault divorce, while legally simpler, has not led to a rush in separations, possibly allowing couples to work through issues more calmly.
- Wider global and environmental uncertainty may lead couples to prioritize stability within the home, especially if children are involved.
- Women remain the primary initiators of divorce, suggesting women are waiting longer to divorce.
- The duration of same-sex marriages ending in divorce is also increasing, though data is limited due to the relatively recent introduction of same-sex marriage.
- The rise of cohabitation means couples who are not a good match may separate before marriage, making marriages that do occur potentially more stable.