12 Interesting Facts About Marriage and Divorce in America

What percentage of marriages end in divorce?

Based on the findings of law firms, it takes up a fairly high percentage. And the figure progressively grows in succeeding marriages.

In 2008, the marriage rate was 17.9 per 1,000 women; a decade later the figure was 16.6 per 1,000 women. The decrease in divorce rates was even greater. It went from 10.5 per 1,000 women in 2008 to 7.7 per 1,000 women in 2018.

This raises the importance of marriage counseling and good communication between couples. But a fairly recent trend suggests that the divorce rate is on a downslope, and so are marriage rates. As such, couples are being more mindful of the responsibilities of marriage before upgrading their relationships. And in the same way, married couples are finding ways to make their relationships work for the long haul.

Couples decide to divorce for different reasons, but there are a few common ones. Some of the main reasons couples decide to divorce include lack of commitment, infidelity, arguing too much, and growing apart, according to the Institute of Family Studies.

🔹An estimated 41% of first marriages end in divorce. (Wilkinson & Finkbeiner, 2020)

🔹That number goes up to 60% for second marriages and 73% for third marriages. (Wilkinson & Finkbeiner, 2020)

🔹In 2019, the divorce rate in the United States hit its lowest point in 50 years. (Wang, 2020)

🔹However, the marriage rate also reached its 50-year low in that same year. (Wang, 2020)

🔹Meanwhile, the average total cost of a divorce is $12,900 and the median cost is $7,500. (Michon, 2021).

🔹An uncontested divorce costs an average of $4,100). (Bieber, 2020)