40-49 is Most Common Age Group For Divorce

The latest divorce statistics show that the average age of divorcees is continuing to rise with 40-49 the most common age group separating.

The office of national statistics figures show that there were 111,169 divorces in 2014, around a three-per-cent decrease compared with the previous year and 27% down from the recent peak in 2003.

The number of divorces in 2014 was highest among men aged 45 to 49 and women aged 40 to 44. This continues the upward trend of the average age of divorce getting older (up 6 years in the past decade).

Expert Opinion

“The divorce rates show that the average age of divorcees is continuing to rise partly because the attitudes of modern society towards divorce have become more relaxed in the past 10-20 years. Most divorcees are now in their 40s. People are recognising that they don’t have to stay in unhappy relationships and the number of dating websites and groups that are aimed at older people show that it is possible to build new relationships no matter what age you divorce.

“Having said that the stats show that once a marriage lasts 20 years, there is a much greater chance the couple will stay together. The first 10 years remain the most likely time that a divorce will occur.

“Long term, the statistics show that divorce rates generally are continuing to decline which may reflect the fact that more people are cohabiting first which could mean their relationships are stronger when they come to get married or they are simply choosing not to marry in the first place particularly if one or both parties have had a previous relationship and/or are wealthy in their own right.

“Same sex marriage was first legally allowed in 2014 so in the next batch of statistics for the years following this we may start to see same-sex divorce reported on for the first time.” Clare Wiseman - Family Partner and Head of International Family Law

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in Family and Divorce law.