The Office for National Statistics has published divorce statistics for last year.
- There was a 9% increase in divorces granted in England and Wales compared with 2020. However, this could reflect catch-up from the pandemic)
- Women were more likely to petition in opposite-sex couples than men. (63 per cent versus 37 per cent). This is similar to 2020.
- Women cited unreasonable behaviour as the most common reason. For men, unreasonable behaviour and two years of separation were equally common.
- The majority of divorces (98%) were opposite-sex couples
- Same-sex divorces increased by 36% compared with 2020. Same-sex divorce has only been possible since 2015, and the numbers have been growing year on year since.
- The majority of same-sex divorces were female couples (67%).