Global Divorce Rates by Country: Highest and Lowest Trends

Divorce has become a notable social trend around the world. While marriage remains common globally, an increasing share of married adults report ending their unions. According to United Nations data, the proportion of adults (ages 35–39) who are divorced or separated has roughly doubled since the 1970s. Yet divorce rates vary dramatically by country. In this post, we examine divorce rates by country from a global perspective: identifying which nations have the highest divorce rate in the world, which have the lowest, and exploring the complex factors behind these differences.

Global Divorce Trends and Measurement

When we talk about a country’s “divorce rate,” we usually mean the crude divorce rate: the number of divorces per 1,000 people per year. Statistical agencies like the United Nations Demographic Yearbook compile these figures from official civil registrations. For example, dividing annual divorces by the total population gives a simple rate per 1,000 residents. (Another measure is the percentage of marriages ending in divorce, but crude rate is most common for cross-country comparison.) On average, many countries report roughly 1–3 divorces per 1,000 people, but the global average masks wide variation. In high-divorce countries the rate can exceed 5 per 1,000, while in places with strict laws it may be near zero.

Statistical trends over time also reveal that divorce is no longer rare. A global survey notes that in 1970 about 2% of people aged 35–39 had ever divorced or separated, while by the 2000s this share was about 4%. This doubling reflects broad social changes: as more societies modernize and women gain rights, divorce has become more common. However, national experiences differ greatly, as we will see next.

Countries with the Highest Divorce Rates

Countries with the highest divorce rates (divorces per 1,000 people).

Some nations have divorce rates far above the global average. The Maldives, a small island nation, has the highest divorce rate in the world, about 5.5 divorces per 1,000 people (2020 data). Other countries near the top include Kazakhstan (about 4.6) and Russia (around 4.4). Eastern European and Caucasus countries like Belarus (3.7) and Georgia (3.8) also rank very high. Even Canada’s divorce rate (~2.8) is higher than in many places.

These high rates often reflect social and legal factors. For instance, in the Maldives both marriage and divorce are relatively easy and inexpensive, which partly explains its extreme rate. According to one analysis, Maldivian culture “frowns upon” premarital sex, so young couples often marry quickly; but when problems arise, they can divorce with “minimal complication”. Additionally, as Maldivian women become more financially independent, they feel empowered to leave unhappy marriages.

Elsewhere, post-Soviet societies like Kazakhstan and Russia saw large increases in divorce after legal reforms in the 1990s. Urbanization and modernization in these regions led to more stress on traditional family structures, pushing divorce rates upward. Likewise, some Western countries with liberal divorce laws and high individualism (for example, the United States and parts of Europe) have maintained relatively high divorce rates compared to the global average.

Countries with the Lowest Divorce Rates

Countries with the lowest divorce rates (divorces per 1,000 people).

At the other extreme, a few countries record very low divorce rates. According to international statistics, Sri Lanka has the lowest divorce rate globally (around 0.15 divorces per 1,000 people in 2020). Vietnam and Guatemala also have rates near 0.2 per 1,000. In practical terms, this means divorce is extremely rare — on the order of one divorce for every 5,000 people per year.

Why so low? In many such countries, strong social and cultural pressures keep marriages intact. Traditional values or family-structured societies view divorce as a last resort. Legal and economic barriers also play a role. For example, some nations require lengthy court processes or family mediation. It is notable that two countries today still legally ban divorce altogether: the Philippines and Vatican City. Since no divorce is permitted there, their official divorce rate is effectively zero.

Aside from those bans, most low-rate countries share traits like conservative social norms or lack of independent means for separated spouses. In several Asian and African nations, wives may face strong family pressure (or financial dependency) to remain married. For instance, in India the divorce rate is often cited as extremely low (estimates near 0.01 per 1,000), largely due to social stigma and customs favoring marital permanence. Similarly, many Latin American countries have modest rates: Peru ~0.5, Venezuela ~0.7, Uruguay ~0.8 per 1,000. These low rates highlight how deeply culture and law influence divorce.

Factors Influencing Divorce Rates

Several key factors shape a country’s divorce rate:

• Legal and Policy Factors: Countries that make divorce easy tend to have higher rates. No-fault divorce laws (where spouses can divorce without assigning blame) and short waiting periods often boost divorce statistics. For example, when many U.S. states adopted no-fault divorce in the 1970s, divorce rates jumped. Conversely, strict legal hurdles keep rates low: the Philippines’ outright ban and long mandatory separation periods in places like Chile (until recently) are examples. Civil law, customary marriages, and even religion-derived regulations can strongly affect how often marriages end legally.
• Social and Cultural Norms: Cultural attitudes toward marriage play a huge role. In societies that value family continuity, divorce is stigmatized and couples are discouraged from splitting. Strong extended-family networks (common in parts of Asia and Africa) may pressure couples to stay together. In contrast, more individualistic cultures (often in Europe and North America) view personal happiness as paramount, making divorce more socially acceptable. Changes in norms can rapidly shift divorce rates: for instance, Southern European countries like Italy, Spain, and Portugal saw big increases in divorce after laws were liberalized in recent decades.
• Economic Factors: Economic conditions influence divorce both ways. Financial independence (especially for women) tends to raise divorce rates, because spouses are less financially trapped in unhappy marriages. Researchers have noted that as more women enter the workforce and attain higher education, divorces have become more common. On the other hand, economic stress (like unemployment or poverty) can strain marriages, potentially increasing divorces, though empirical effects vary by country. Some studies find divorce actually falls during economic downturns because couples can’t afford separation. Overall, wealthier countries usually have higher recorded divorce rates, likely due to greater means and fewer children.
• Religious and Cultural Traditions: Religious beliefs are intertwined with many of the above factors. For example, traditionally Catholic or Muslim societies often had low divorce rates historically, because religious doctrine emphasizes marriage permanence. However, secularization and legal reforms have changed this: divorce rates in Catholic-majority countries (e.g. Italy, Poland) are now higher than in the mid-20th century. Meanwhile, Islamic law permits divorce but social interpretations vary: countries like Iran and Turkey have moderate divorce rates, whereas more conservative Islamic states may either discourage or manage divorce differently. In sum, religion influences both the legality of divorce and social acceptance, which in turn affects statistical rates.

These factors often interact. For example, the Maldives illustrates legal and cultural influences: easy divorce procedures combined with changing gender roles have driven its rate sky-high. In contrast, in some sub-Saharan African countries, traditions (like a “bride price” refund) discourage divorce, keeping rates low.

Regional Analysis

Divorce patterns also show clear regional trends. Below we summarize rough patterns by region:

• The Americas: In North America, divorce rates are moderately high. The United States and Canada each have rates around 2.7–2.8 per 1,000. Latin America generally has lower rates, though rising: for example, Peru (0.5) and Chile (0.7) have some of the region’s lowest rates, whereas Argentina and Brazil have rates around 1–2 per 1,000. Central American and Caribbean countries vary; some small islands (like Saint Vincent 0.4) have very low rates, while Puerto Rico and Cuba (now ~2.9) are higher.
• Europe: Divorce rates vary widely across Europe. Eastern European nations (Russia, Belarus, Ukraine) tend to be on the higher end (around 3–4 per 1,000). Western Europe spans moderate rates: e.g., the UK (~2.3), France (~1.9), and the U.S.-style highest divorce (“by marriage count”) examples of Portugal (55% of marriages end in divorce) and Spain (55%). Scandinavian countries have historically high divorce rates (e.g. Sweden ~2.5, Denmark ~2.7), though rates have stabilized or declined lately. Southern Europe (Italy, Spain, Portugal) traditionally had lower rates because of church influence, but rates climbed after laws changed (now roughly 1.1 in Italy up to 2.1 in Portugal). Overall, Europe’s mix reflects varying legal systems and cultures: secular, Protestant north/west versus more conservative south/east.
• Asia: Asia shows extremes. South Asian societies generally have very low divorce rates. India (0.01) and Pakistan (~0.5) are among the lowest worldwide due to conservative marital norms. In Southeast Asia, Vietnam’s rate is about 0.2, and Thailand/Indonesia are also low (often well below 1). By contrast, some parts of Asia have high rates. In Central Asia and the former USSR, divorce is common: Kazakhstan (~4.6), Azerbaijan, Russia (~3.9). East Asia is in between: Japan’s rate (~1.7) has been falling, and South Korea’s rate tripled from the 1990s but recently plateaued. China’s divorce rate has been rising (currently ~3.2 per 1,000) as economic reforms loosened marriage norms.
• Africa: Reliable data are scarce for many African countries. Available figures suggest generally low divorce rates, often under 1 per 1,000. For example, Egypt’s rate is about 2.4 (2021 data), while South Africa is around 0.6. In many African societies, extended family and traditional reconciliation practices keep divorce uncommon. Urbanized countries like South Africa may have higher rates (and South Africa’s 0.6 reflects divorce law from 1984). Overall, African divorce rates tend to be the lowest of any continent, but there are pockets of higher rates where family law has modernized.
• Oceania: Australia and New Zealand have relatively high divorce rates compared to the global average (around 2.2 and 2.7 per 1,000, respectively). These reflect their Western lifestyles and laws similar to North America. In contrast, many Pacific island nations have sparse data; traditional societies (e.g. Fiji, Samoa) typically see low divorce rates, but modernization is slowly increasing them.

Impact of Religion, Policy, and Modernization

Religion, government policy, and modernization together shape divorce trends:

• Religion: Religious teachings can either forbid or sanction divorce. For instance, strict Roman Catholic teaching originally made divorce nearly impossible in many countries. Only in recent decades have most Catholic-majority nations allowed it (Ireland in 1996, Malta only in 2011, etc.), and their divorce rates have climbed accordingly. In Islam, divorce (talaq or khula) is permitted but regulated; some Muslim societies see moderate divorce rates, while others (like Indonesia) have famously family-oriented practices. Religion also influences social stigma: communities with strong religious cohesion often pressure couples to stay together. According to Pew Research, countries with higher levels of secularism and gender equality tend to accept divorce more readily, whereas conservative religious communities may discourage it.
• Policy and Law: Legal frameworks determine how easily a marriage can end. No-fault divorce laws (common in North America and much of Europe) allow divorce without assigning blame, generally raising divorce filings. In the U.S., for example, “no-fault” laws passed in the 1970s corresponded with a spike in divorce rates. By contrast, policies that lengthen waiting periods or require specific grounds reduce divorce. Some countries (e.g. Chile until 2004, Vatican City, Philippines) had no divorce or long separations, so divorces were negligible. Censuses and government reports (e.g. by the UN) show that changes in divorce legislation often precede noticeable trend changes in the data.
• Modernization: As countries develop economically and socially, divorce rates tend to rise initially. Urbanization, higher education, and media influence shift attitudes toward individual fulfillment. For example, South Korea’s divorce rate soared as it modernized, and Western divorce norms spread across the world. However, after modernization, some societies reach a new equilibrium: rates may level off or even decline as marriages are delayed and people are more selective. This cohort effect is seen in richer countries where younger generations marry later and with more stability (see below). Overall, more modern societies usually exhibit higher divorce rates than traditional ones, but the effect can change over time as societies adjust.

Recent Trends and Shifts (Last 5 Years)

In the past decade, divorce trends have shown some notable shifts:

• Stabilization or Decline in Many Countries: In many developed countries, crude divorce rates have plateaued or even fallen slightly in recent years. For example, the United States divorce rate has gradually declined since the 1980s (currently around 2.3 per 1,000). Similarly, parts of Europe have seen small drops. This may be due to later marriages (as people wait longer to tie the knot) and more stable first marriages.
• COVID-19 Pandemic Effect: The 2020–2021 global pandemic had a short-term impact. Many countries saw an unusual dip in divorce filings during lockdowns. According to one analysis, marriage rates fell sharply in 2020, and divorce rates dropped by roughly 0.2–0.4 divorces per 1,000 people in most countries. For example, Slovenia’s rate fell from 1.2 to 0.8, and Hungary from 1.8 to 1.5, between 2019 and 2020. This was likely due to courts being closed, couples postponing divorce, and practical hurdles. However, some places (like Denmark) bucked the trend and saw temporary increases. Most analysts expect a rebound as backlog cases are processed.
• Legal Changes: Several countries have recently liberalized divorce laws, leading to higher rates. For instance, Indonesia introduced a new divorce process in 2013, and Thailand repealed a ban on divorce of Buddhist women. Ireland’s evolving views (legalization in 1996) have led to more divorces in each generation. Conversely, a few places have tightened controls: for example, Russia passed stricter financial and custody rules in 2019, which temporarily slowed divorces there.
• Marriage Decline: One overarching trend is fewer people are getting married at all. This affects divorce statistics: if fewer marriages occur, there can be fewer divorces in absolute terms. Some experts note that a decline in early and second marriages may contribute to the stabilization of divorce rates in some countries. In the long run, cohabitation without marriage (which is rising globally) may also reduce official divorce numbers, even if relationship breakups remain high.

Divorce Trends by Generation

Age cohorts show different patterns in divorce statistics:

• Younger vs. Older Generations: Globally and especially in Western countries, younger adults today are less likely to divorce compared to past cohorts at the same age. In the U.S., for example, the divorce rate among 25–39-year-olds fell from 30 divorces per 1,000 married persons in 1990 to 24 per 1,000 in 2015. This is largely because young adults are marrying later (median age rising) and those who do marry are often more educated and financially stable.
• “Gray Divorce”: At the same time, divorce among older adults (50+) has risen. Pew Research reports that in the U.S., the divorce rate for adults 50+ roughly doubled since 1990 (it even tripled among those 65+). Similar “gray divorce” patterns are observed in other countries where retirees or late-middle-aged couples split. This trend is thought to result from longer life expectancy, second marriages, and changing expectations among long-married couples.
• Global Perspective: While comprehensive global data by age are scarce, these U.S. and European patterns reflect a broader shift: younger people tend to delay or forgo marriage (leading to fewer divorces), whereas older adults who have been married longer may feel more independent (especially after children leave home), making divorce more likely. As a result, generational differences are now an important part of divorce statistics in many societies.

Gender Dynamics in Divorce

Gender plays a significant role in divorce trends:

• Who Initiates Divorce: Research consistently shows that women initiate divorce more often than men. In one large U.S. study, women filed for divorce in about 69% of cases. (That is, most divorces are initiated by the wife.) This pattern likely reflects women’s growing empowerment and dissatisfaction with unequal marital burdens. In many cultures, wives still do most domestic work and child care; as gender roles evolve, women are less willing to stay in unhappy marriages.
• Gender Ratios of Divorce: Most countries report divorce numbers without specifying initiator, but because women tend to file more, the raw divorce rate often slightly exceeds the rate of separation filed by men. However, it is important to note that divorce is ultimately a joint legal process that dissolves a marriage on both parties. The gender gap in initiation mainly influences motivations, not the statistical divorce rate itself.
• Post-Divorce Outcomes: Gender also affects post-divorce dynamics. Globally, women are more likely to obtain custody of children and may have greater economic challenges after divorce (due to childcare responsibilities). These realities can both dissuade and encourage divorce in different ways. In some societies, the stigma on divorced women is higher than on divorced men, which can suppress divorce rates even if women are unhappy.

In summary, gender expectations and inequality deeply influence divorce patterns. Many analysts point out that the rise in women’s rights and social support systems correlates with rising divorce rates, since women are able to leave marriages that were previously economically untenable.

Conclusion

Divorce rates by country reveal a fascinating snapshot of how societies view marriage and personal freedom. The highest divorce rate in the world belongs to the Maldives (around 5.5 per 1,000), while countries like Sri Lanka (0.15 per 1,000) see virtually no divorces. Most of the variation comes down to a mix of factors: legal systems (ease of divorce), cultural norms (stigma or acceptance), economic conditions (women’s independence), religious teachings, and recent social changes.

We see that modernization and individualism tend to raise divorce rates, whereas traditional or religious societies often keep them low. Over time, global divorce patterns have grown more similar as laws liberalize and women’s roles change, but regional differences remain pronounced. For example, Europe and North America generally report higher rates than Asia and Africa, reflecting different social fabrics.

Ultimately, the global trends remind us that divorce is a common part of modern life in many places, but its frequency is shaped by each country’s history, values, and laws. Understanding these divorce rates by country can help policymakers and families alike see the bigger picture: marriage practices and personal relationships differ around the world, and so do the pressures leading couples apart.

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