The Office for National Statistics 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 from 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.
- The most common reason for husbands petitioning for divorce 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 the average marriage at the time of divorce was 12 years for opposite-sex couples.
For same-sex couples, the average length of marriage was 5 years. However, divorce among same-sex couples has only been possible since 2015.