In the past, people may have gotten married and promised to stay together until one of them died. These days, though, it seems like something has changed.
New facts have emerged regarding the number of divorces in 2024. These details have surprised some individuals, leading them to talk about what couples today are going through.
In this fascinating article, we will explain this exciting subject. We will examine why these changes are happening and what they mean for changing societal relationships.
We guarantee you will learn something new as we explore the complex world of marriage today!
10 Key Divorce Rate Statistics for 2024
- 22% of couples undergo the ending of their marriage within five years by death, divorce, or separation.
- 6.0 per 1,000 people is the marriage rate in the United States.
- 2.5 divorces per 1,000 people in 2021 is down from 4.0 in 2000.
- 50% of first marriages, 67% of second, and 73% of third marriages end in divorce, indicating the increasing difficulty of sustaining later marriages.
- More than 40% of all new marriages will include at least one partner who was married before.
- 69% of the divorce filings are initiated by women.
- 29-30% of divorces in total are filed by husbands.
- 81% of Americans believe divorce is morally acceptable.
- 8 years is the time an average first marriage is supposed to last before failing.
- 10 out of every 1,000 married individuals aged 50 and older are experiencing divorce, doubling the rate since 1990.
General Divorce Rate Statistics
Divorce is a big problem for society, one that many people all over the world face. It’s just as serious in the United States as it is everywhere else. These numbers help us see why we need to learn why marriages fall apart if we want to build a society where more partnerships last a lifetime:
1. 22% of Initial Marriages Come to an End Because of Death, Divorce, or Separation Within the First Five Years
As we look into numbers on first marriages, it comes as a surprise that about 22% of these relationships are broken down by death, divorce, or separation within five years. This number shows how newlyweds are at risk and how much they have to deal with together (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1])
2. 6.0 Is an Average Marriage Rate per 1,000 Total US Population
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of marriages for every 1,000 people in the US decreased significantly between 2000 and 2021.
At the start of the century, there were about 8.2 marriages, but in 2021, that number was down to just 6.0. This shows that fewer individuals are tying the knot than twenty years ago (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2])
3. 2.5 Is an Average Divorce Rate per 1,000 Total US Population
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that there has been a decrease in the number of divorces between 2000 and 2021. In the year 2000, the divorce rate was 4.0 divorces per 1,000 people in America, whereas in 2021, this figure stood at 2.5 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2])
4. Approximately 50% of First, 67% of Second, and 73% of Third Marriages Result in Divorce
Divorce rates are worrying in America. Psychology Today says about half of all marriages will end in divorce. But it doesn’t stop there—more divorces happen in second marriages (67%) and even more in third marriages (73%).
These numbers show that staying together is hard for some people who marry again and again, so it’s important to know what makes a partnership last (Psychology Today)
5. Approximately 40% of All New Marriages Are Remarriages
According to statistics, almost 40% of all new weddings in the country happen between individuals who have already been married before. This shows that getting married again is becoming common, and it is not always easy.
When couples get married more than once, they must find ways to integrate their families from previous marriages (Pew Research Center [1]).
6. Almost 69% of All Divorces Are Initiated by Wives
Recent statistics on divorce rates reveal that most divorces – about 69% – are started by women. This shows that ideas about what roles husbands and wives play in marriage are changing. It also makes us think about how society as a whole is changing.
Maybe women feel more in control of their lives now, or maybe more than before, we think it’s okay to end a marriage if it makes us happy (even if it also makes us sad) (Science Daily).
7. Only 29% to 30% of Husbands File for Divorce
The proportion of husbands who start divorce proceedings is between 29 and 30%, showing that a noteworthy amount of males choose to legally end their marital unions.
This statistic implies that even though the majority of divorces may seem like they are requested by women, many men also ask for it as well (Researchgate).
8. 81% Americans Think That Divorce Is Morally Accepted
The opinion that divorce is morally acceptable is held by 88% of Americans, a fact that shows how much ideas about marriage have changed in this country. When marriages can end easily, it means that people think more about their own happiness than they did in the past. It also means that there is less importance put on sticking with something even if it is hard (Statista).
9. 8 Years Is an Average Duration of the First Marriage That Ends in Divorce
According to the statistics, couples who get divorced usually separate after about eight years of marriage. This information shows that there are some problems that happen not long after people get married, and these things make them change their lives completely and end the relationship (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[4])
10. 10 in 1,000 Married Persons Aged 50+ Are Divorced
Newly released data shows that there has been a noteworthy rise in divorce percentages among individuals who are married and 50 years old or above. Over ten individuals out of every 1000 couples in this age bracket got divorced, a figure that is two times what it was in 1990.
This sharp increase indicates that problems and intricacies capable of breaking a marriage can affect those who’ve been together for a long time, too (Pew Research Center [2]).
11. 4.2 % Divorce Rate in Nevada State Is the Highest in the United States
In the United States, no other place has a higher divorce rate than Nevada, where it stands at 4.2%. The numbers for Oklahoma and Wyoming are also high (3. 8% and 3. 7%), showing that across certain areas within the country, there are difficulties in marriages more frequently (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [3]).
What Are the Reasons for Divorce?
Now that you have been informed about some overall divorce figures, we can examine the reasons people get divorced:
1. 66% of All Divorces Are Caused by Growing Apart or Arguments
When it comes to divorces, 66% come about because the spouses grow distant or can’t stop fighting. This shows how important it is for partners to always try their best to understand each other and solve problems together so that they don’t end up feeling uninterested in or angry with one another (PLOS).
2. 65% of Males and 64% of Females Believe That the Reason of Divorce Is Sexual Intimacy Problems
Actually, a staggering 65% of guys and 64% of ladies think that intimate problems are what eventually break down a marriage. These numbers show without a doubt that not being able to connect sexually with your partner affects your relationship—a lot. That’s why it’s so important to talk honestly and make time for intimacy in your marriage (Taylor & Francis).
3. 29% of Marriages Break Up Because Spouses Earn Approximately the Same Income
About 29% of marriages nowadays witness a financial puzzle: both partners earn almost equal amounts. It appears fair, but it sometimes causes arguments and strain over money.
When a woman decides to be self-sufficient, men might feel like they aren’t needed anymore, which is frustrating and could end up breaking up the marriage (Pew Research Center [3]).
4. 60% of People Believe That the Reason of Divorce Is Serious Differences in Values and Lifestyles
Regarding divorce, there is one thing people always say: you can’t stay together if you don’t share the same core beliefs and values or if your way of life is totally different. It looks like 60% of individuals believe this, too.
These numbers show just how much having different ideas about what matters most and habits that won’t work together can mess up a relationship (Taylor & Francis).
5. 35% of Women Cited Their Husband’s Affair as the Reason for Divorce
An unexpected fact indicates that 35% of females attribute it to cheating on the part of their spouses. Being unfaithful breaks trust and ruins the bond between two people, which is sad. This fact shows how being loyal is crucial to a relationship if couples want it to last long (Taylor & Francis).
6. 21.1% of Divorces Are Caused by Domestic Violence
Beyond the worrying numbers is a truth that’s difficult to accept: domestic violence is behind 21.1% of divorces. Sadly, in most instances, it is usually the women who are the hapless victims (NCBI[1]).
7. 77.8% of People Wished They Had Known More About Their Ex-Spouse Before Getting Married
Picture finding out things about your significant other that could have completely changed your relationship. It’s hard to believe, but almost 78% of couples wish they knew more about the person they married.
This number is a sad truth that tells us how important it is to really understand the people we love if we want our partnerships to last long-term (NCBI[1]).
What Are the Consequences of Divorce?
Let’s take a look at what statistics say about the effects of divorce: emotional pain, financial problems, and having to live somewhere else are some of them.
1. A 23% Higher Mortality Rate Is One of the Health Consequences of Divorce
Surprisingly, research has indicated that people who get divorced may have a surprising 23% greater chance of dying early compared to people who stay married.
This alarming fact shows how essential it is for us to think about the effects of divorce on physical health. It also says that taking care of ourselves should be something we focus on and that we might need help with (NCBI [2]).
2. 19% of People Reported Declines in Life Satisfaction That Precede and Follow the Divorce Year
Were you aware of the fact that 19% of people feel less happy in their lives after they get divorced as well? This number, which is amazing, shows how getting divorced can make someone feel bad in general. It is also a sign that even when they are over it, there are still things that make them wish they had stayed together (NCBI[2]).
3. 45% of Divorces Women Aged 50+ Face a Drop in Their Standard of Living
No wonder, then, if divorce acts like a financial earthquake for those over 50, especially women. The fact is, the standard of living for women after divorce tanks 45%, and that for men plunges by just 21%.
This gender imbalance supports the need for the empowerment of women and the support required by them in order to deal with the financial repercussions of divorce(NCBI [3]).
4. All 18 Mental Disorders Are Positively Associated With Divorce
An unexpected discovery from modern studies is that getting divorced is more likely for all 18 mental illnesses. This means if someone has a mental health problem like being worried all the time, feeling sad for long periods, or not ever feeling like themselves around other people (to name just a few), their marriages are more likely to end in divorce (NCBI [4]).
5. Approximately 20% of Divorced Are More Likely to Suffer from Long-Term Health Problems
Individuals who have gone through a divorce or the death of a partner are at a 20% greater chance of having long-haul health conditions such as heart problems, cancer, and diabetes. This shows that our emotional health and physical health are related because these life-changing events cause strain on our minds as well as bodies (NCBI [5]).
Conclusion
In summary of our extensive research on how often people got divorced in 2024 and what that means, it is clear that marriage is changing a lot.
When we see states like Nevada, Oklahoma, and Wyoming having lots of divorces, it shows that staying together is hard for a lot of people all over the country.
It’s not just about how sad or mad someone might feel afterward or having less money — breaking up can also affect how healthy they are. If we know this, it’s even more important for married people to have help from others and be given the right tools.
If we think about all of these things — not just the way they are now, but how they could be in the future — it’ll be easier to make marriages work.
Even if they still sometimes end in splitsville, maybe more people will be able to say that their lives were better for having been in long-term relationships.
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[3]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[4]
Psychology Today
Pew Research Center[1]
Pew Research Center[2]
Pew Research Center[3]
Science Daily
Researchgate
Statista
PLOS
Taylor & Francis
NCBI[1]
NCBI[2]
NCBI[3]
NCBI[4]
NCBI[5]
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