According to the 2020 UNIDOMO questionnaire, Portugal clearly led the list of European countries with the highest divorce rate per 100 marriages. With 91.5 divorces the Portuguese Republic led the list, followed by Spain and Luxembourg. All three countries boast a significantly higher share than the other European countries, each reporting a divorce rate over 80 divorces.

A different way to look at Portugal

While Portugal clearly has the most divorces per 100 marriages, looking at divorce rates per 1.000 inhabitants in other European countries alters the picture of the country as one unsettled by significant numbers of divorces. With nearly 1.7 divorces per 1,000 inhabitants Portugal has roughly the same divorce rate as Germany and the Netherlands. Interesting is furthermore that although marriages in Portugal tend to result in divorce lightly more often as in Luxembourg (80.3%), the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg experienced a 0.6 point higher divorce rate.

What about the rest of the World?

While compared with Latin American countries like Guatemala or Peru, ranked among the countries with the lowest divorce rates in the world, Luxembourg’s divorce rate seems excessive. However, when compared with divorce rates (per 1.000 inhabitants) of countries like the United States (2.7) or China (3.5) divorce rates from Luxembourg and Europe are not out of the ordinary.

As of 2023, Slovenia had the lowest divorce rate in the world, with only one divorce per 1,000 population. Croatia and Farie Island followed with 1.1 and 1.2 divorces per 1,000 inhabitants, respectively. On the other hand, West Bank & the Gaza Strip had the highest marriage rate in the world that year.

In 2023, the divorce rate in Germany lay at about 35.74 percent. The highest divorce rate at almost 52 percent was recorded in 2005. Since then, divorce rates have ranged between 30 and 50 percent. The divorce rate compares the number of marriages with the number of divorces in the same period under review. Accordingly, the divorce rate does not provide any information about the ‘divorce risk’ of a particular marriage cohort, as the divorces do not relate to a marriage year.

China Population: Divorce Rate data was reported at 0.256 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.204 % for 2022. China Population: Divorce Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 0.097 % from Dec 1978 (Median) to 2023, with 46 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.336 % in 2019 and a record low of 0.018 % in 1978. China Population: Divorce Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Socio-Demographic – Table CN.GA: Population: No of Marriage and Divorce.

Armenia Vital Statistics: Year to Date: Crude Divorce Rate: per 1000 Population data was reported at 1.500 Person in Jun 2023. This stayed constant from the previous number of 1.500 Person for Mar 2023. Armenia Vital Statistics: Year to Date: Crude Divorce Rate: per 1000 Population data is updated quarterly, averaging 1.300 Person from Dec 2012 (Median) to Jun 2023, with 43 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.700 Person in Jun 2014 and a record low of 1.000 Person in Jun 2020. Armenia Vital Statistics: Year to Date: Crude Divorce Rate: per 1000 Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Armenia – Table AM.G003: Vital Statistics.

As of 2025, Sri Lanka had the lowest divorce rate in the world, with 0.15 divorces per 1,000 population. Vietnam and Guatemala followed with 0.2 divorces per 1,000 inhabitants.

Albania Vital Statistics: Divorces: per 100 Marriages data was reported at 15.800 % in 2021. This records a decrease from the previous number of 24.400 % for 2020. Albania Vital Statistics: Divorces: per 100 Marriages data is updated yearly, averaging 13.972 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2021, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 26.100 % in 2019 and a record low of 5.900 % in 1997. Albania Vital Statistics: Divorces: per 100 Marriages data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Albania – Table AL.G003: Vital Statistics.

In 2020, Latvia, Denmark, and Lithuania had the highest divorce rates among countries in the European Union, at 2.7 divorces per 1,000 population. By contrast, Malta had the lowest divorce rate at 0.5 divorces per 1,000 population.

In 2016, crude divorce rates were highest in Kazakhstan which was estimated at around three divorces per thousand people. Crude divorce rates were highest in Korea and Australia in year 2000, each amounting to around 2.6 divorces per thousand people.

As of 2023, the divorce rate in China decreased to 2.6 divorces per 1,000 inhabitants. Before 2020, this number had been constantly increasing since 2002. Divorce rate in Asian countries The divorce rate in China soared from around 0.96 divorces per 1,000 people in 2000 to 3.36 divorces in 2019. This is a quite high value compared to the divorce rate of countries in the Asia Pacific region. However, China shares the fate of a growing divorce rate with many other developing countries, while in most developed countries, the number of divorces per 1,000 inhabitants is either stable or falling. For example, the divorce rate in Singapore has been manly stable at 1.9 divorces per 1,000 inhabitants in the last ten years and the divorce rate in South Korea has fallen from 2.5 in 2009 to 1.8 in 2023. In comparison, the U.S. divorce rate has been falling since 1992 from 4.8 divorces per 1,000 people to 2.4 divorces in 2022. Dating scene in China For the younger generations, dating and marriage happens (if at all) at a much later life stage compared to their parents. The fact that China has the highest working hours in the region does not ease the dire situation for singles in China, most of them being employed as professionals or employed in the media sector, where long working hours and high work pressure are quite common.

Vital Statistics: Japanese Only: Per 1000: Divorce Rate data was reported at 1.700 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.730 % for 2016. Vital Statistics: Japanese Only: Per 1000: Divorce Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 1.280 % from Dec 1947 (Median) to 2017, with 71 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.300 % in 2002 and a record low of 0.730 % in 1963. Vital Statistics: Japanese Only: Per 1000: Divorce Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G005: Vital Statistics.

State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) Crude Divorce Rate: per 1000 Population: West Bank data was reported at 1.900 NA in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.800 NA for 2016. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) Crude Divorce Rate: per 1000 Population: West Bank data is updated yearly, averaging 1.300 NA from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2017, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.900 NA in 2017 and a record low of 0.800 NA in 2002. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) Crude Divorce Rate: per 1000 Population: West Bank data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) – Table PS.G002: Vital Statistics.

Singapore Male Divorce Rate: Per 1000 Married Resident Males: 20 - 24 data was reported at 25.900 NA in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 27.600 NA for 2016. Singapore Male Divorce Rate: Per 1000 Married Resident Males: 20 - 24 data is updated yearly, averaging 25.100 NA from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2017, with 38 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 42.700 NA in 2002 and a record low of 5.900 NA in 1980. Singapore Male Divorce Rate: Per 1000 Married Resident Males: 20 - 24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Singapore – Table SG.G007: Vital Statistics: Marriages & Divorces.

In 2022, the divorce rate for all Benelux countries was very similar; in the Netherlands it was 1.33 percent, compared to 1.7 percent in Belgium and 1.9 percent in Luxembourg. For all countries, the divorce rate had been steadily increasing from 1950 to 1970, before fluctuating significantly in the years afterwards.

Introduction

Divorce Statistics: Divorce is a significant issue for people worldwide, and it has been a point of conflict for centuries. Although divorce is legal in all 195 countries, there are still mixed beliefs about divorces and divorcees in 2 of those nations, regardless of religion or culture. It is an emotionally and mentally challenging experience for both partners. There are various reasons for divorce, including lack of commitment, religious or moral differences, domestic abuse, financial problems, infertility, and loss of intimacy.

Divorce occurs globally and is nearly as common as marriage. In this article, we will focus on divorce statistics.

Egypt Vital Statistics: Number of Divorce Contracts data was reported at 198.269 Unit th in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 192.079 Unit th for 2016. Egypt Vital Statistics: Number of Divorce Contracts data is updated yearly, averaging 70.000 Unit th from Dec 1943 (Median) to 2017, with 75 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 199.867 Unit th in 2015 and a record low of 55.000 Unit th in 1962. Egypt Vital Statistics: Number of Divorce Contracts data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Egypt – Table EG.G009: Vital Statistics.

Singapore Female Divorce Rate: Per 1000 Married Resident Females: 20 - 24 data was reported at 27.900 NA in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 28.600 NA for 2016. Singapore Female Divorce Rate: Per 1000 Married Resident Females: 20 - 24 data is updated yearly, averaging 21.250 NA from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2017, with 38 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 29.100 NA in 2012 and a record low of 7.600 NA in 1980. Singapore Female Divorce Rate: Per 1000 Married Resident Females: 20 - 24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Singapore – Table SG.G007: Vital Statistics: Marriages & Divorces.

In 2020, the number of divorces in France was of 57,437. France had a divorce rate of 55 per 100 marriages in 2020. A number which was not one of the highest in Europe but that emphasizes the fact that in recent years, divorce is a phenomenon with a significant impact on Western countries. The characteristics of French divorces Despite a record number of 152,020 separations in 2005, the number of divorces in France remained stable since the mid-2000s and has also been declining by a rate of 8 percent between 2004 and 2014. Since then, the number of divorces remained almost the same in the country, even though an decrease has been seen between 2016 and 2017. In 2019, the majority of divorces in France were pronounced by mutual consent. Most of divorces pronounced in France concerned marriages which lasted between 4 years and 7 years. Unions in France The number of marriages in France is decreasing since 2004 and reached 220,000 in 2021, compared to 236,826 ten years before. Same-sex marriage was legalized in France since 2013, but civil partnerships are the type of unions that increased in recent years. More than 205,000 civil partnerships were contracted in 2010 in France. Implemented in 1999, civil unions in France are established between two individuals regardless of gender.

Divorce Counseling Service Market Outlook

The global market size for divorce counseling services is projected to grow significantly, reaching approximately $XX billion by 2032 from $XX billion in 2023, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of XX%. This growth is driven by rising divorce rates worldwide, increasing awareness about mental health, and the growing acceptance of seeking professional help during life transitions. The market is also fueled by technological advancements that make these services more accessible and convenient through online platforms.

The primary growth factor for the divorce counseling service market is the increasing divorce rates in both developed and developing regions. Societal changes, evolving gender roles, and financial independence have contributed to a higher incidence of marital separations. With these changing dynamics, the need for professional counseling services has surged, as individuals and families seek structured guidance to navigate emotional and practical challenges. Another significant driver is the growing awareness and destigmatization of mental health issues. More people are recognizing the importance of psychological well-being and are willing to invest in services that support their mental health during stressful events like divorce.

Technological advancements play a crucial role in the market's growth. The proliferation of high-speed internet and the advent of telehealth platforms have made online counseling services increasingly popular. These platforms offer flexibility and anonymity, making it easier for individuals to seek help without the constraints of geographical location or social stigma. Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence in these platforms helps in personalizing the counseling sessions, thereby improving the efficacy and user experience. The convenience and effectiveness of online counseling are expected to attract more users, further propelling the market growth.

Another significant factor is the increasing focus on holistic well-being, which encompasses emotional, psychological, and relational health. Modern lifestyles and high-stress jobs contribute to relationship strains, making divorce counseling services essential. Employers are also recognizing the impact of personal issues on employee productivity and are increasingly offering counseling services as part of their employee assistance programs. This trend is expected to boost the market demand further, as more individuals gain access to these services through their workplace benefits.

Regionally, North America holds a substantial share of the divorce counseling service market, driven by high divorce rates and a well-established mental health care infrastructure. Europe follows closely, with growing acceptance of counseling services and supportive governmental policies. The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth rate, owing to increasing urbanization, changing societal norms, and rising disposable incomes that make these services more accessible. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are also anticipated to experience steady growth, supported by improving mental health awareness and infrastructure.

Service Type Analysis

The divorce counseling service market can be segmented by service type into individual counseling, couples counseling, group counseling, and online counseling. Individual counseling services are designed to help one party in the divorce process navigate their emotional and psychological challenges independently. This segment holds a significant market share due to the personalized nature of the service, which allows for focused and tailored therapeutic interventions. Many individuals prefer this form of counseling to address their unique issues without the influence or presence of their spouse.

Couples counseling is another crucial segment that aims to facilitate better communication and conflict resolution between partners, either to save the marriage or to navigate the divorce process amicably. This form of counseling is particularly beneficial when children are involved, as it focuses on co-parenting strategies and reducing the emotional impact on the children. The effectiveness of couples counseling in mitigating the adversities associated with divorce has made it a popular choice among separating partners.

Group counseling offers a different therapeutic approach by bringing together individuals who are experiencing similar challenges. This segment is growing as it provides a support network and a sense of community, which ca