The Office for National Statistics has published the divorce statistics for 2020 in England and Wales. There is a caveat about the potential but unknown impact of the pandemic on the figures. Highlights are:
- Over 103, 000 divorces were granted in England and Wales, a decrease of 4.5% compared with 2019.
- 99 % were among opposite-sex couples – a 4.8% decrease on the previous year.
- The 1,154 divorces among same-sex couples, was an increase of 40% from 2019. Over 70% were female same-sex divorces
- The most common reason for wives in opposite sex couples petitioning for divorce was unreasonable behaviour.
- For husbands petitioning for divorce the most common reason was a two-year separation, closely followed by unreasonable behaviour
- Unreasonable behaviour was the most common reason for divorce for all same sex couples – accounting for half of female divorces and 57% of male divorces.
- The length of average marriage at the time of divorce was 12 years for opposite-sex couples
For same sex couples the average length of marrriage was 5 years. However divorce among same-sex couples has only been possible since 2015.