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.
- The most common reason cited by women was unreasonable behaviour. For men both unreasonable behaviour and two years separation were equally common a
- 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 from 2015 and the numbers have been increasing year on year since.
- The majority of same sex divorce was female couples (67%).