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This dataset provides statistics on divorces between opposite-sex couples, which took place in England and Wales, broken down by the age and previous marital status of each partner, the year of occurrence, fact proven, who petitioned, duration of marriage and whether children were involved (figures on children are only available prior to 2015 the 'Have children' selection page provides more information).
The https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/divorce/bulletins/divorcesinenglandandwales/previousReleases[latest Divorce Statistics publication] is available on the Office for National Statistics website.
- Divorce statistics are derived from information recorded by His Majestys Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) during the divorce process.
- Figures represent both divorces and annulments that took place in England and Wales between opposite-sex couples. A marriage is dissolved, following a petition for divorce and the granting of a decree absolute, or annulled, following a petition for nullity and the awarding of a decree of nullity.
- Divorce statistics do not include married couples who separate, but do not divorce.
- Divorces where the marriage took place abroad are included, provided the marriage was legally recognised in the UK and 1 of the parties had a permanent home in England and Wales.
Following the implementation of the http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/30/contents[Marriage Same Sex Couples Act 2013], the first marriages of same-sex couples took place on 29 March 2014. Civil partners have been able to convert their civil partnership into a marriage, if they so desired, from 10 December 2014. Figures showing the number of divorces to same-sex couples have since been included in the ONS annual divorce publications. The first divorces recorded between same-sex couples in England and Wales were in 2015. Divorce statistics for same-sex couples are not currently available in Nomis due to the very small number of divorces between same-sex couples.
The https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/divorce/methodologies/divorcesinenglandandwalesqmi[latest Divorces Quality and Methodology Information] document contains important information on:
- the strengths and limitations of the data and how it compares with related data
- uses and users
- how the output was created
- the quality of the output including the accuracy of the data
Further information on data quality, legislation and procedures relating to divorces can be found in the https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/divorce/methodologies/userguidetodivorcestatistics[User Guide to Divorce Statistics]
For more information on divorce statistics please contact Office for National Statistics email: pop.info@ons.gov.uk telephone: +44(0)1329 444661
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About the variables
Age difference (11 categories)
From the 2020 data year onwards, information about age of husband and wife at divorce is not available. This is because Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) no longer collects information about age at marriage (used to derive age at divorce) during the divorce process. Consequently, information about the age difference of divorcing couples is not available from 2020 onwards.
Read more...Children (4 categories)
Following the Children and Families Act 2014, couples divorcing are no longer required to provide information on children as part of the divorce process. From the data we receive it is not possible to determine whether a couple were childless or whether they chose not to provide information on children. Analyses show that the average number of children per couple has declined notably since 2013, a likely consequence of many couples choosing not to provide children information. Consequently children information is not available for 2015 onwards; figures based on incomplete data would be misleading.
Prior to 2015, figures provide the number of couples who have, or do not have children aged 16 and over.
Fact proven (8 categories)
A marriage is dissolved, following a petition for divorce and the granting of a decree absolute, or annulled, following a petition for nullity and the awarding of a decree of nullity. A petitioner must prove one or more of five facts (adultery, unreasonable behaviour, desertion, and separation, either with or without the consent of the respondent), in order to establish the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. Nullity represents a marriage which was annulled and was not legally valid in the first place. The 'other' category represents divorces where there was more than one fact proven or fact proven was not stated.
Read more...Petitioner (5 categories)
Read more...Length of marriage (6 categories)
The length of marriage is calculated from the date of marriage and the date of decree absolute.
Read more...Status of husband (5 categories)
From the 2020 data year onwards, information about marital statuses of husband and wife at time of marriage is not available. This is because Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) no longer collects information about previous marital status during the divorce process. Consequently, information about the previous marital status of husband at time of marriage is not available from 2020 onwards.
Read more...Status of wife (5 categories)
From the 2020 data year onwards, information about marital statuses of husband and wife at time of marriage is not available. This is because Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) no longer collects information about previous marital status during the divorce process. Consequently, information about the previous marital status of wife at time of marriage is not available from 2020 onwards.
Read more...Age of husband (9 categories)
From the 2020 data year onwards, information about age of husband and wife at divorce is not available. This is because Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) no longer collects information about age at marriage (used to derive age at divorce) during the divorce process. Consequently, information about the age of husband at divorce is not available from 2020 onwards.
Read more...Age of wife (9 categories)
From the 2020 data year onwards, information about age of husband and wife at divorce is not available. This is because Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) no longer collects information about age at marriage (used to derive age at divorce) during the divorce process. Consequently, information about the age of wife at divorce is not available from 2020 onwards.
Read more...Release calendar
| Release Date | Status | Reference Period |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Apr 24 | provisional | 2022 |
| [ Show / Hide historical release dates... ] | ||
| 2 Nov 22 | Released | 2021 |
| 11 Feb 22 | Released | 2020 |
| 17 Nov 20 | Released | 2019 |
| 29 Nov 19 | provisional | 2018 |
| 26 Sep 18 | Released | 2017 |
| 18 Oct 17 | Released | 2016 |
| 21 Jun 17 | Released | 2015 |
| 5 Dec 16 | Released | 2014 |
Revisions and corrections
| Date of revision | Dates affected | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| There have been no revisions or corrections. | ||
| [ Show / Hide historical revisions and corrections... ] | ||