Contents Number of divorces, age at divorce and marital status before marriage

Metadata Information on divorce statistics

Terms and conditions Terms and conditions

Table 1 Number of couples divorcing, by party petitioning/decree granted, 1858-2013

Table 2a Number of divorces by age of husband at divorce, 1950-2013

Table 2b Number of divorces by age of wife at divorce, 1950-2013

Table 3a Divorce rates by age of husband at divorce, 1950-2013

Table 3b Divorce rates by age of wife at divorce, 1950-2013

Table 4 Ages at divorce of husband and wife in combination (numbers), 2013

Table 5 Men divorcing: age at divorce and previous marital statuses of husband and wife (numbers), 2013

Table 6 Women divorcing: age at divorce and previous marital statuses of husband and wife (numbers), 2013

Table 7 Marital statuses before marriage of husband and wife (numbers), 1957-2013

Table 8 Divorces granted to a sole party: Party to whom granted and fact proven at divorce (numbers), 1974-2013

Further divorce statistics on children of divorced couples, age at marriage, duration of marriage and proportion of people married or born in
a particular year who divorce by a particular anniversary or age, published as part of this release are available on our website.

Related publications Provides links to further divorce statistics and related publications
Contents

Metadata

Introduction
These tables provide statistics on divorces which took place in England and Wales in calendar years. Some tables provide
1858, other tables provide a more limited history.

Divorce statistics for the United Kingdom and its constituent countries are available in the Vital Statistics: Population and H

Notes and Definitions

From 2013 onwards, divorce data have been extracted from HM Courts and Tribunals Service’s (HMCTS) FamilyMan case
management system and sent electronically to ONS on a monthly basis. Prior to the 2013 data year, divorce statistics for E
Wales were derived from data provided on the D105 form used to record decree absolutes. These paper forms were sent
the courts.

Prior to 2013 data, late notifications of divorces were not included in published statistics, but are retained on the ONS data

A marriage may be either

• dissolved, following a petition for divorce and the granting of a decree absolute, or
• annulled, following a petition for nullity and the awarding of a decree of nullity
The first group of decrees are known as dissolutions of marriage, and the second as annulments of marriage. The term div
tables includes both types of decrees.

The age at divorce is derived from the age at marriage, as given in the marriage entry. As this age is the last birthday, six m
added to obtain an estimate of the age at marriage. This is then added to the duration of marriage, which is calculated as t
between the date of divorce and the date of marriage (in months and years). From this an estimated age last birthday at th
divorce is derived.

The age distributions shown in tables 2a and 2b have been summarised by calculating median and mean ages at marriage
age (also known as the average age) is obtained by adding together the ages of all the people concerned and dividing by
of people. In contrast the median age is the age of the person in the middle of the group, such that one half of the group is
than that person and the other half is older.

The population figures used to calculate rates are mid-year estimates of the resident population by marital status for Engla
Wales.
We recently completed a consultation surrounding the population estimates by marital status. This resulted in a change in

the methodology used to produce the estimates for England and Wales, for the years 2002 onwards. The new method invo
the marital status distribution from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and applying this to published population estimates (by
group and sex) for England and Wales. Population estimates by marital status for the years 2002 to 2010 have been revis
published in July 2015 alongside new population estimates by marital status for the years 2011 to 2014. As a result of the
the methodology, divorce rates for England and Wales have been revised back to 2002 to reflect the revised population es
marital status.

Further information on population estimates by marital status and their methodology is available on our website.
Quality and Methodology Information for Population estimates by marital status is also available.

Symbols and conventions

In ONS divorce statistics published from July 2014 onwards symbols used are:
0 denotes nil
: denotes not available
u denotes low reliability

Rates are not calculated where there are fewer than 3 divorces in a cell, denoted by (u). It is ONS practice not to calculate
where there are fewer than 3 divorces in a cell, as rates based on such low numbers are susceptible to inaccurate interpre

Rates in tables calculated from fewer than 20 divorces are denoted by (u) as a warning to the user that their reliability as a
may be affected by the small number of events.

In ONS divorce statistics published prior to July 2014 symbols used were:
.. denotes not available
: denotes not appropriate/not applicable
- denotes nil

The new set of symbols used are being implemented across ONS outputs in order to improve harmonisation and consisten
facilitate understanding of data and comparability.

Further Information and Enquiries

For enquiries about these data, contact:

Vital Statistics Outputs Branch

Life Events and Population Sources Division
Office for National Statistics
Segensworth Road
Titchfield
Fareham
Hampshire PO15 5RR
Tel: 01329 444110
E-mail: vsob@ons.gsi.gov.uk

Special extracts and tabulations of divorce data for England and Wales are available to order for a charge (subject to legal
disclosure control, resources and agreement of costs, where appropriate). Such enquiries should be made to the postal or
address above.

The ONS charging policy is available on our website:

www.ons.gov.uk/ons/about-ons/business-transparency/freedom-of-information/ons-charging-policy/index.html

In line with the ONS approach to open data, all ad hoc data requests will be published onto
the website.

Feedback
We welcome feedback from users. Please send feedback to the postal or email address above.
Contents

Terms and conditions

A National Statistics publication

National Statistics are produced to high professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. They ar
produced free from any political interference.

The United Kingdom Statistics Authority has designated these statistics as National Statistics, in accordance with the Statis
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Designation can be broadly interpreted to mean that the statistics:
• meet identified user needs;
• are well explained and readily accessible;
• are produced according to sound methods, and
• are managed impartially and objectively in the public interest.

Once statistics have been designated as National Statistics it is a statutory requirement that the Code of Practice shall cont
be observed.

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Contents
Table 1 Number of couples divorcing, by party petitioning/decree granted, 1858-20131

England and Wales

On petition of/Party to whom granted
All decrees Decree absolute Decree of nullity
Year Total Husband Wife Both Total Husband Wife Both Total Husband Wife Both

2013 114,720 40,635 74,076 9 114,523 40,538 73,976 9 197 97 100 0

2012 118,140 41,601 76,490 49 117,991 41,542 76,400 49 149 59 90 0
2011 117,558 40,414 77,083 61 117,446 40,369 77,016 61 112 45 67 0
2010 119,589 40,338 79,178 73 119,497 40,301 79,124 72 92 37 54 1
2009 113,949 38,043 75,834 72 113,842 37,988 75,782 72 107 55 52 0
2008 121,708 40,143 81,466 99 121,577 40,085 81,393 99 131 58 73 0
2007 128,131 40,878 87,151 102 127,992 40,815 87,075 102 139 63 76 0
2006 132,140 41,638 90,375 127 131,997 41,570 90,300 127 143 68 75 0
2005 141,322 44,537 96,644 141 141,158 44,466 96,551 141 164 71 93 0
2004 152,923 47,580 105,177 166 152,724 47,507 105,051 166 199 73 126 0
2003 153,065 46,883 106,013 169 152,871 46,790 105,912 169 194 93 101 0
2002 147,735 44,771 102,796 168 147,538 44,694 102,676 168 197 77 120 0
2001 143,818 44,480 99,140 198 143,568 44,378 98,992 198 250 102 148 0
2000 141,135 42,452 98,438 245 140,783 42,311 98,227 245 352 141 211 0
1999 144,556 43,539 100,664 353 144,233 43,413 100,469 351 323 126 195 2
1998 145,214 43,053 101,795 366 144,851 42,902 101,583 366 363 151 212 0
1997 146,689 43,889 102,373 427 146,339 43,739 102,173 427 350 150 200 0
1996 157,107 46,884 109,732 491 156,692 46,712 109,489 491 415 172 243 0
1995 155,499 45,985 109,023 491 155,076 45,823 108,764 489 423 162 259 2
1994 158,175 45,112 112,640 423 157,756 44,918 112,415 423 419 194 225 0
1993 165,018 46,271 118,401 346 164,556 46,084 118,127 345 462 187 274 1
1992 160,385 44,378 115,628 379 159,967 44,195 115,393 379 418 183 235 0
1991 158,745 44,160 114,192 393 158,301 43,961 113,947 393 444 199 245 0
1990 153,386 43,160 109,830 396 152,927 42,960 109,571 396 459 200 259 0
1989 150,872 42,536 107,979 357 150,477 42,351 107,769 357 395 185 210 0
1988 152,633 43,188 109,051 394 152,138 42,982 108,762 394 495 206 289 0
1987 151,007 42,784 107,790 433 150,564 42,573 107,558 433 443 211 232 0
1986 153,903 43,439 109,883 581 153,418 43,236 109,601 581 485 203 282 0
1985 160,300 44,574 115,144 582 159,693 44,333 114,779 581 607 241 365 1
1984 144,501 40,975 102,961 565 143,746 40,656 102,525 565 755 319 436 0
1983 147,479 41,553 105,360 566 146,669 41,228 104,876 565 810 325 484 1
1982 146,698 41,761 104,349 588 145,802 41,382 103,832 588 896 379 517 0
1981 145,713 42,480 102,724 509 144,763 42,085 102,170 508 950 395 554 1
1980 148,301 44,034 103,796 471 147,381 43,670 103,242 469 920 364 554 2
1979 138,706 42,045 96,299 362 137,868 41,739 95,768 361 838 306 531 1
1978 143,667 44,592 98,747 328 142,726 44,224 98,174 328 941 368 573 0
1977 129,053 39,384 89,244 425 128,118 39,014 88,679 425 935 370 565 0
1976 126,694 38,673 87,589 432 125,724 38,274 87,020 430 970 399 569 2
1975 120,522 38,477 81,693 352 119,688 38,125 81,213 350 834 352 480 2
1974 113,500 37,826 75,355 319 112,740 37,497 74,924 319 760 329 431 0
1973 106,003 37,067 68,565 371 : : : : : : : :
1972 119,025 45,385 73,220 420 : : : : : : : :
1971 74,437 29,649 44,204 584 : : : : : : : :
1970 58,239 22,280 35,370 589 : : : : : : : :
1969 51,310 20,238 30,591 481 : : : : : : : :
1968 45,794 17,689 27,729 376 : : : : : : : :
1967 43,093 17,134 25,661 298 : : : : : : : :
1966 39,067 16,097 22,738 232 : : : : : : : :
1965 37,785 15,993 21,633 159 : : : : : : : :
 On petition of/Party to whom granted
All decrees Decree absolute Decree of nullity
Year Total Husband Wife Both Total Husband Wife Both Total Husband Wife Both
1964 34,868 14,735 19,955 178 : : : : : : : :
1963 32,052 13,806 18,099 147 : : : : : : : :
1962 28,935 12,769 16,059 107 : : : : : : : :
1961 25,394 11,357 13,958 79 : : : : : : : :
1960 23,868 10,696 13,085 87 : : : : : : : :
1959 24,286 10,951 13,249 86 : : : : : : : :
1958 22,654 10,303 12,283 68 : : : : : : : :
1957 23,785 10,800 12,900 85 : : : : : : : :
1956 26,265 11,955 14,310 : : : : : : : : :
1955 26,816 12,034 14,782 : : : : : : : : :
1954 28,027 12,427 15,600 : : : : : : : : :
1953 30,326 13,342 16,984 : : : : : : : : :
1952 33,922 14,639 19,283 : : : : : : : : :
1951 28,767 12,850 15,917 : : : : : : : : :
1950 30,870 15,138 15,732 : : : : : : : : :
1949 34,856 17,053 17,803 : : : : : : : : :
1948 43,698 : : : : : : : : : : :
1947 60,254 : : : : : : : : : : :
1946 29,829 : : : : : : : : : : :
1945 15,634 : : : : : : : : : : :
1944 12,312 6,623 5,689 : : : : : : : : :
1943 10,012 5,255 4,757 : : : : : : : : :
1942 7,618 4,000 3,618 : : : : : : : : :
1941 6,368 3,234 3,134 : : : : : : : : :
1940 7,755 3,525 4,230 : : : : : : : : :
1939 8,254 3,823 4,431 : : : : : : : : :
1938 6,250 3,160 3,090 : : : : : : : : :
1937 4,886 2,291 2,595 : : : : : : : : :
1936 5,146 2,318 2,828 : : : : : : : : :
1935 4,069 1,887 2,182 : : : : : : : : :
1934 4,287 1,819 2,468 : : : : : : : : :
1933 4,042 1,712 2,330 : : : : : : : : :
1932 3,894 1,707 2,187 : : : : : : : : :
1931 3,764 1,579 2,185 : : : : : : : : :
1930 3,563 1,520 2,043 : : : : : : : : :
1929 3,396 1,384 2,012 : : : : : : : : :
1928 4,018 1,593 2,425 : : : : : : : : :
1927 3,190 1,261 1,929 : : : : : : : : :
1926 2,622 1,096 1,526 : : : : : : : : :
1925 2,605 961 1,644 : : : : : : : : :
1924 2,286 1,131 1,155 : : : : : : : : :
1923 2,667 1,503 1,164 : : : : : : : : :
1922 2,588 1,591 997 : : : : : : : : :
1921 3,522 2,487 1,035 : : : : : : : : :
1920 3,090 2,373 717 : : : : : : : : :
1919 1,654 1,226 428 : : : : : : : : :
1918 1,111 742 369 : : : : : : : : :
1917 703 432 271 : : : : : : : : :
1916 990 562 428 : : : : : : : : :
1915 680 354 326 : : : : : : : : :
1914 856 443 413 : : : : : : : : :
1913 577 325 252 : : : : : : : : :
1912 587 316 271 : : : : : : : : :
1911 580 313 267 : : : : : : : : :
1910 596 332 264 : : : : : : : : :
1909 694 358 336 : : : : : : : : :
1908 638 354 284 : : : : : : : : :
 On petition of/Party to whom granted
All decrees Decree absolute Decree of nullity
Year Total Husband Wife Both Total Husband Wife Both Total Husband Wife Both
1907 644 335 309 : : : : : : : : :
1906 546 318 228 : : : : : : : : :
1905 604 332 272 : : : : : : : : :
1904 528 309 219 : : : : : : : : :
1903 606 390 216 : : : : : : : : :
1902 601 361 240 : : : : : : : : :
1901 477 283 194 : : : : : : : : :
1900 512 303 209 : : : : : : : : :
1899 468 272 196 : : : : : : : : :
1898 508 309 199 : : : : : : : : :
1897 503 : : : : : : : : : : :
1896 459 : : : : : : : : : : :
1895 407 : : : : : : : : : : :
1894 369 : : : : : : : : : : :
1893 387 : : : : : : : : : : :
1892 327 : : : : : : : : : : :
1891 369 : : : : : : : : : : :
1890 313 : : : : : : : : : : :
1889 351 : : : : : : : : : : :
1888 338 : : : : : : : : : : :
1887 440 : : : : : : : : : : :
1886 325 : : : : : : : : : : :
1885 396 : : : : : : : : : : :
1884 348 : : : : : : : : : : :
1883 334 : : : : : : : : : : :
1882 289 : : : : : : : : : : :
1881 311 : : : : : : : : : : :
1880 278 : : : : : : : : : : :
1879 358 : : : : : : : : : : :
1878 292 : : : : : : : : : : :
1877 249 : : : : : : : : : : :
1876 208 : : : : : : : : : : :
1875 194 : : : : : : : : : : :
1874 194 : : : : : : : : : : :
1873 215 : : : : : : : : : : :
1872 133 : : : : : : : : : : :
1871 166 : : : : : : : : : : :
1870 154 : : : : : : : : : : :
1869 159 : : : : : : : : : : :
1868 23 : : : : : : : : : : :
1867 119 : : : : : : : : : : :
1866 116 : : : : : : : : : : :
1865 179 : : : : : : : : : : :
1864 168 : : : : : : : : : : :
1863 134 : : : : : : : : : : :
1862 123 : : : : : : : : : : :
1861 196 : : : : : : : : : : :
1860 103 : : : : : : : : : : :
1859 117 : : : : : : : : : : :
1858 24 : : : : : : : : : : :

1. Figures for 1956 and earlier years are party petitioning. Figures for 1957 and later years are decrees granted.

Source: Office for National Statistics Released 23 November 2015

Contents
Table 2a Number of divorces by age of husband at divorce, 1950-2013

England and Wales

Age at divorce Age at divorce
60 and Age not
Year All ages Under 201 20-241 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-542 55-592 over stated Mean Median

2013 114,720 10 718 5,998 14,155 17,391 21,278 20,606 15,577 9,122 9,865 0 45.1 44.5
2012 118,140 2 835 6,364 14,835 18,804 22,568 21,114 15,022 8,893 9,703 0 44.7 44.1
2011 117,558 6 840 6,560 14,752 19,315 22,781 20,782 14,615 8,468 9,439 0 44.5 43.8
2010 119,589 5 899 7,027 14,915 21,027 23,500 20,763 14,110 8,327 9,016 0 44.2 43.4
2009 113,949 5 933 7,008 14,549 20,295 22,269 19,652 12,811 7,881 8,539 7 44.0 43.2
2008 121,708 7 1,040 7,495 15,211 22,535 23,861 20,500 13,716 8,416 8,919 8 43.9 43.0
2007 128,131 6 1,264 7,799 16,534 24,321 25,885 20,820 13,793 9,141 8,561 7 43.7 42.7
2006 132,140 7 1,330 7,899 18,026 25,864 26,609 20,817 13,968 9,517 8,090 13 43.4 42.4
2005 141,322 9 1,619 8,589 20,561 28,250 28,403 21,606 14,271 9,946 8,059 9 43.1 42.0
2004 152,923 13 1,782 9,646 24,213 31,958 29,736 21,964 15,192 10,268 8,151 0 42.7 41.4
2003 153,065 13 1,759 10,288 25,820 32,670 29,357 21,005 14,872 9,775 7,504 2 42.3 40.9
2002 147,735 13 1,695 10,916 26,792 31,937 26,989 19,601 14,088 8,764 6,940 0 41.9 40.4
2001 143,818 11 1,607 11,713 27,480 31,322 25,470 18,048 13,954 7,631 6,580 2 41.5 40.0
2000 141,135 15 1,781 12,788 27,615 30,278 23,943 17,742 13,535 7,029 6,403 6 41.3 39.7
1999 144,556 14 2,030 14,768 29,612 30,268 23,584 17,521 13,731 6,845 6,174 9 40.9 39.2
1998 145,214 21 2,354 16,720 30,666 29,776 22,740 17,785 13,052 6,203 5,889 8 40.4 38.7
1997 146,689 14 2,706 18,110 31,825 29,121 22,244 18,042 12,508 6,263 5,844 12 40.2 38.4
1996 157,107 22 3,425 21,186 34,228 30,446 23,296 19,948 12,054 6,435 6,058 9 39.8 38.1
1995 155,499 28 3,973 22,018 34,082 29,319 22,971 19,718 11,415 6,174 5,791 10 39.6 37.9
1994 158,175 31 4,646 23,559 34,558 29,307 23,611 19,785 10,987 6,076 5,608 7 39.3 37.6
1993 165,018 27 5,469 26,105 35,762 30,308 25,009 19,937 10,793 5,938 5,665 5 39.0 37.3
1992 160,385 48 5,703 26,556 34,549 28,525 24,884 18,695 10,071 5,748 5,599 7 38.8 37.2
1991 158,745 50 6,477 27,753 33,532 27,957 25,199 16,896 9,733 5,675 5,454 19 38.6 37.0
1990 153,386 53 6,740 27,964 31,619 26,959 24,512 15,422 9,525 5,330 5,246 16 38.4 36.8
1989 150,872 62 7,476 27,709 30,802 26,335 23,650 14,694 9,416 5,344 5,365 19 38.3 36.7
1988 152,633 101 7,980 28,138 30,940 26,587 23,724 14,743 9,397 5,441 5,572 10 38.3 36.7
1987 151,007 110 8,656 28,762 30,100 27,435 22,192 14,096 8,918 5,304 5,434 0 38.0 36.4
1986 153,903 114 10,143 29,835 30,105 28,395 20,927 14,359 8,957 5,434 5,625 9 37.8 36.2
1985 160,300 114 12,395 32,570 31,042 28,969 20,248 14,546 9,124 5,395 5,884 13 37.4 35.7
1984 144,501 19 7,720 27,329 29,102 27,516 19,119 13,874 8,871 5,413 5,528 10 38.2 36.4
1983 147,479 29 8,240 28,232 30,733 28,005 18,678 13,786 8,939 5,243 5,557 37 38.0 36.0
1982 146,698 41 8,537 28,699 31,977 26,994 18,153 13,265 8,533 5,066 5,389 44 37.7 35.6
1981 145,713 39 8,615 29,114 33,064 24,688 18,187 12,767 13,774 5,440 25 37.7 35.4
1980 148,301 54 8,972 30,498 33,677 24,193 18,039 13,010 8,614 5,534 5,710 0 37.6 35.2
1979 138,746 37 8,495 28,511 30,912 21,599 16,873 12,502 8,440 5,610 5,767 0 37.8 35.3
 Age at divorce Age at divorce
60 and Age not
Year All ages Under 201 20-241 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-542 55-592 over stated Mean Median
1978 143,667 36 8,749 29,393 31,398 21,922 17,435 13,084 8,930 6,088 6,632 0 38.1 35.5
1977 129,053 45 7,940 27,593 27,172 19,520 15,401 11,596 8,055 5,290 6,441 0 38.1 35.4
1976 126,694 42 7,928 28,342 25,310 19,411 15,058 11,283 7,984 5,026 6,310 0 38.0 35.4
1975 120,522 18 7,399 26,930 23,387 18,998 14,010 10,700 12,735 6,345 0 38.1 35.6
1974 113,500 30 6,581 24,705 21,845 17,243 13,579 10,168 12,810 6,539 0 38.5 35.9
1973 106,003 21 5,798 22,663 20,049 16,269 12,469 9,852 12,643 6,239 0 38.8 36.2
1972 119,025 7 5,645 23,283 21,635 17,275 13,965 11,580 16,032 9,603 0 40.1 37.4
1971 74,437 4 3,592 15,018 14,729 11,297 8,569 7,022 8,885 5,321 0 39.4 36.6
1970 58,239 4 3,073 12,663 12,656 9,658 7,190 5,468 5,587 1,940 0 37.6 35.3
1969 51,310 7 2,542 10,784 11,230 8,324 6,310 5,248 5,073 1,792 0 37.9 35.6
1968 45,794 6 2,222 9,119 9,731 7,616 5,795 4,867 4,744 1,694 0 38.2 36.1
1967 43,093 8 1,873 8,503 9,110 7,146 5,656 4,525 4,787 1,485 0 38.4 36.3
1966 39,067 3 1,457 7,516 8,310 6,613 5,496 3,784 4,531 1,357 0 38.6 36.5
1965 37,785 3 1,349 7,187 7,677 6,472 5,567 3,737 4,507 1,286 0 38.7 36.9
1964 34,868 5 1,173 6,253 7,321 6,032 5,106 3,389 4,271 1,318 0 39.0 37.1
1963 32,052 2 1,005 5,560 6,462 5,574 4,927 3,392 4,027 1,103 0 39.2 37.6
1962 28,936 1 842 4,688 5,922 5,068 4,398 3,302 3,685 1,030 0 : 38.0
1961 25,394 1 680 4,060 5,115 4,729 3,733 2,921 3,307 848 0 : 38.0
1960 23,868 1 589 3,679 4,740 4,641 3,364 2,904 3,185 765 0 : 38.2
1959 24,286 0 530 3,503 4,909 4,759 3,518 3,052 3,227 788 0 : 38.4
1958 22,654 1 467 3,239 4,543 4,397 3,309 2,946 2,999 753 0 : 38.5
1957 23,785 0 448 3,520 4,793 4,519 3,583 3,129 3,074 719 0 : 38.5
1956 26,265 772 4,061 5,575 4,589 4,194 3,364 3,090 620 0 : 38.0
1955 26,816 781 4,197 5,940 4,599 4,341 3,337 2,951 670 0 : 37.7
1954 28,027 773 4,289 6,225 5,000 4,600 3,336 3,113 691 0 : 37.7
1953 30,326 791 4,865 6,699 5,473 4,927 3,628 3,171 772 0 : 37.6
1952 33,922 755 5,467 7,287 6,475 5,561 3,970 3,551 856 0 : 37.7
1951 28,767 686 5,001 6,188 5,788 4,653 3,097 2,748 606 0 : 37.2
1950 30,870 848 6,100 6,421 6,327 4,762 3,120 2,665 627 0 : 36.6

1. Age groups 'Under 20' and '20-24' not available separately for the years 1950-1956.
2. Age groups '50-54' and '55-59' not available separately for the years 1950-1975, and 1981.

Source: Office for National Statistics Released 23 November 2015

Contents
Table 2b Number of divorces by age of wife at divorce, 1950-2013

England and Wales

Age at divorce Age at divorce
60 and Age not
Year All ages Under 201 20-241 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-542 55-592 over stated Mean Median

2013 114,720 26 1,871 10,172 17,521 18,526 21,278 19,492 13,032 6,587 6,215 0 42.6 42.2
2012 118,140 25 2,207 10,982 18,041 19,840 22,506 19,502 12,546 6,465 6,026 0 42.2 41.8
2011 117,558 28 2,353 11,099 18,020 20,285 22,370 19,307 11,947 6,313 5,836 0 42.1 41.6
2010 119,589 37 2,544 11,829 18,206 21,969 22,868 19,214 11,443 5,931 5,548 0 41.7 41.1
2009 113,949 31 2,570 11,739 17,236 21,336 22,013 17,772 10,378 5,693 5,174 7 41.5 40.9
2008 121,708 41 2,942 12,374 18,240 23,174 23,979 18,475 11,044 6,162 5,269 8 41.4 40.8
2007 128,131 56 3,206 12,626 19,797 25,596 25,471 18,896 11,067 6,346 5,063 7 41.2 40.5
2006 132,140 66 3,446 13,145 21,342 27,392 26,039 18,404 10,954 6,832 4,507 13 40.9 40.1
2005 141,322 71 4,135 13,863 24,328 29,768 27,489 18,852 11,176 6,977 4,654 9 40.6 39.8
2004 152,923 92 4,557 15,829 28,295 32,913 28,458 19,115 12,020 7,081 4,563 0 40.2 39.2
2003 153,065 94 4,762 16,501 30,270 33,426 27,527 18,170 11,338 6,736 4,239 2 39.8 38.7
2002 147,735 87 4,721 17,227 30,982 32,282 25,017 16,591 10,861 6,054 3,913 0 39.4 38.2
2001 143,818 97 4,546 18,231 31,489 31,164 23,190 15,501 10,721 5,184 3,693 2 39.1 37.7
2000 141,135 130 4,709 19,650 31,420 29,820 21,469 15,105 10,376 4,856 3,594 6 38.8 37.3
1999 144,556 130 5,188 22,173 32,837 29,663 21,325 14,924 10,292 4,549 3,466 9 38.4 36.9
1998 145,214 154 6,144 24,586 33,446 28,605 20,521 14,783 9,568 4,109 3,290 8 37.9 36.3
1997 146,689 158 6,713 26,435 33,967 27,715 20,125 15,053 9,202 4,101 3,208 12 37.7 36.0
1996 157,107 159 8,456 30,075 36,274 28,727 20,774 16,546 8,778 4,072 3,237 9 37.3 35.6
1995 155,499 172 9,611 30,563 35,538 27,550 20,739 16,098 7,994 4,101 3,123 10 37.0 35.3
1994 158,175 220 10,736 32,608 35,848 27,195 20,765 16,073 7,607 3,919 3,197 7 36.7 34.9
1993 165,018 280 12,644 35,362 36,300 28,162 21,891 15,910 7,449 3,875 3,140 5 36.4 34.7
1992 160,385 296 13,186 34,853 34,901 26,577 21,783 14,817 7,053 3,691 3,221 7 36.3 34.5
1991 158,745 321 14,639 35,582 33,195 25,661 21,979 13,607 7,023 3,520 3,199 19 36.0 34.3
1990 153,386 418 15,036 35,121 31,295 24,421 21,263 12,526 6,671 3,428 3,191 16 35.9 34.1
1989 150,872 461 16,167 34,483 29,757 24,170 20,647 11,915 6,446 3,527 3,280 19 35.7 34.0
1988 152,633 528 17,165 34,504 29,406 24,685 20,873 11,884 6,601 3,606 3,371 10 35.7 34.0
1987 151,007 654 18,412 34,209 28,995 24,934 19,403 11,239 6,266 3,518 3,377 0 35.5 33.7
1986 153,903 741 20,972 34,478 28,452 25,956 18,519 11,214 6,412 3,577 3,573 9 35.3 33.6
1985 160,300 795 25,375 35,680 28,668 26,554 17,767 11,529 6,449 3,687 3,783 13 34.9 33.1
1984 144,501 167 18,065 31,800 27,734 25,522 16,712 10,969 6,312 3,590 3,620 10 35.6 34.0
1983 147,479 186 19,254 32,695 28,958 25,673 16,336 10,733 6,308 3,572 3,727 37 35.4 33.7
1982 146,698 244 19,743 32,995 30,023 24,567 15,587 10,343 6,028 3,476 3,648 44 35.2 33.4
1981 145,713 283 19,812 33,299 31,104 22,459 15,276 9,902 9,805 3,748 25 35.2 33.2
1980 148,301 269 20,636 34,308 31,765 21,436 15,423 10,142 6,281 4,026 4,015 0 35.2 32.9
1979 138,706 237 19,402 31,892 29,137 19,457 14,473 9,896 6,085 4,076 4,051 0 35.3 32.8
1978 143,667 233 19,238 33,149 29,659 19,840 15,183 10,404 6,604 4,555 4,802 0 35.7 33.0
 Age at divorce Age at divorce
60 and Age not
Year All ages Under 201 20-241 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-542 55-592 over stated Mean Median
1977 129,053 137 16,852 30,115 26,384 17,701 13,135 9,510 6,364 3,994 4,861 0 35.8 33.0
1976 126,694 88 15,177 31,101 25,353 17,497 13,063 9,233 6,395 3,972 4,815 0 36.0 33.1
1975 120,522 69 14,090 30,508 22,711 16,733 12,289 9,079 10,068 4,975 0 36.1 33.2
1974 113,500 59 12,506 28,548 20,877 15,669 11,606 8,733 10,371 5,131 0 36.5 33.5
1973 106,003 124 13,400 26,482 18,607 14,247 10,495 8,157 9,906 4,585 0 36.3 33.4
1972 119,025 73 13,777 27,819 19,819 15,039 12,147 10,057 12,793 7,501 0 37.6 34.4
1971 74,437 50 9,348 17,811 13,284 9,498 7,521 6,014 6,957 3,954 0 36.8 33.6
1970 58,239 34 8,162 14,918 11,430 8,030 5,976 4,599 3,901 1,189 0 34.8 32.4
1969 51,312 54 6,847 12,860 10,175 6,984 5,367 4,359 3,550 1,116 0 35.1 32.6
1968 45,794 40 6,060 10,849 8,872 6,540 5,048 4,008 3,371 1,006 0 35.4 33.2
1967 43,093 44 5,373 10,322 8,193 6,234 5,022 3,638 3,343 924 0 35.6 33.4
1966 39,067 37 4,377 9,358 7,597 5,796 4,764 3,242 3,065 831 0 35.8 33.7
1965 37,785 32 4,106 8,987 7,126 5,699 4,883 3,098 3,119 735 0 35.9 34.0
1964 34,868 50 3,571 8,122 6,622 5,297 4,602 2,766 3,065 773 0 36.2 34.2
1963 32,052 26 3,131 7,160 6,134 5,037 4,233 2,920 2,780 631 0 36.4 34.6
1962 28,935 14 2,732 6,188 5,541 4,761 3,874 2,651 2,564 610 0 : 35.0
1961 25,394 14 2,271 5,375 5,023 4,298 3,218 2,420 2,297 478 0 : 35.0
1960 23,868 11 2,052 4,969 4,672 4,280 2,926 2,407 2,130 421 0 : 35.3
1959 24,286 18 1,833 4,889 4,934 4,448 3,082 2,438 2,201 443 0 : 35.5
1958 22,654 11 1,726 4,569 4,499 4,093 2,977 2,291 2,037 451 0 : 35.6
1957 23,785 15 1,694 4,929 4,933 4,090 3,176 2,441 2,099 408 0 : 35.4
1956 26,265 2,379 5,443 5,640 4,233 3,603 2,522 2,080 365 0 : 34.7
1955 26,816 2,400 5,562 6,055 4,095 3,743 2,607 2,001 353 0 : 34.5
1954 28,027 2,325 5,941 6,312 4,504 3,831 2,620 2,119 375 0 : 34.6
1953 30,326 2,517 6,455 6,715 5,070 4,055 2,846 2,250 418 0 : 34.6
1952 33,922 2,553 7,522 7,281 5,872 4,622 3,123 2,502 447 0 : 34.7
1951 28,767 2,215 6,705 6,252 5,047 3,874 2,409 1,917 348 0 : 34.4
1950 30,870 2,563 7,976 6,381 5,370 3,869 2,553 1,808 350 0 : 33.8

1. Age groups 'Under 20' and '20-24' not available separately for the years 1950-1956.
2. Age groups '50-54' and '55-59' not available separately for the years 1950-1975, and 1981.

Source: Office for National Statistics Released 23 November 2015

Contents
Table 3a Divorce rates by age of husband at divorce, 1950-20131

England and Wales

Age at date of divorce - rate per 1,000 married population
60 and
Year All ages Under 202 20-242 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-543 55-593 over

2013 9.8 7.6 u 14.6 15.9 15.9 16.7 16.7 15.3 12.0 7.8 2.3
2012 10.2 u 17.5 17.4 17.3 17.9 17.8 15.8 11.9 7.7 2.3
2011 10.2 2.0 u 19.5 17.1 18.8 17.9 18.0 15.4 11.5 7.6 2.2
2010 10.3 1.8 u 15.5 17.8 17.7 19.3 17.9 15.4 11.3 7.3 2.2
2009 9.9 4.6 u 14.2 18.2 17.4 17.6 16.4 14.9 10.4 6.9 2.1
2008 10.6 3.5 u 14.0 17.7 18.5 19.1 17.8 15.7 11.5 7.1 2.2
2007 11.1 1.9 u 16.6 19.5 20.1 20.1 18.8 15.9 11.6 7.4 2.2
2006 11.5 2.8 u 20.0 21.0 20.8 20.7 19.5 16.4 11.7 7.2 2.1
2005 12.3 17.2 u 23.3 23.7 22.9 22.2 20.7 16.9 12.1 7.4 2.2
2004 13.4 7.9 u 21.8 26.2 26.2 25.2 22.5 17.7 12.4 7.6 2.2
2003 13.4 3.7 u 30.5 26.5 27.7 25.5 22.2 16.8 11.9 7.4 2.1
2002 12.9 5.3 u 19.8 27.5 27.5 24.1 20.6 16.1 10.8 6.8 1.9
2001 13.0 2.0 u 21.6 27.9 28.3 25.0 20.5 15.3 10.5 6.6 1.9
2000 12.7 2.5 u 23.9 27.9 27.4 24.1 19.5 15.0 10.0 6.3 1.9
1999 13.0 2.2 u 25.9 29.7 28.4 24.2 19.5 14.5 10.2 6.3 1.8
1998 13.0 3.4 27.4 30.7 28.4 24.0 18.9 14.4 9.8 5.9 1.7
1997 13.1 2.3 u 27.5 30.4 28.7 23.6 18.6 14.0 9.7 6.0 1.7
1996 13.9 3.7 29.4 32.6 30.2 24.8 19.4 14.5 10.0 6.1 1.8
1995 13.7 4.7 29.0 31.5 29.6 24.1 19.0 14.2 9.9 5.8 1.7
1994 13.8 5.1 29.0 31.5 29.9 24.3 19.1 14.2 9.7 5.7 1.7
1993 14.3 4.1 29.2 33.0 30.8 25.1 19.7 14.4 9.7 5.6 1.7
1992 13.9 6.7 26.6 32.1 29.5 23.6 18.7 14.0 9.2 5.5 1.7
1991 13.6 6.3 26.7 32.4 28.6 23.1 17.7 13.6 8.8 5.4 1.6
1990 13.1 7.0 25.0 32.1 26.9 21.8 17.0 12.8 8.5 5.1 1.6
1989 12.8 7.0 26.0 31.1 26.1 20.8 16.4 12.4 8.4 5.0 1.6
1988 12.9 10.2 26.5 30.8 26.1 20.4 16.5 12.8 8.5 5.0 1.7
1987 12.7 10.2 27.8 30.7 25.2 20.2 15.9 12.4 8.1 4.9 1.6
1986 12.9 11.5 31.5 31.2 25.1 19.6 16.2 12.5 8.1 4.9 1.7
1985 13.4 10.3 35.1 33.4 25.5 19.8 16.2 12.5 8.2 4.9 1.8
1984 12.0 1.5 u 20.4 27.6 23.3 18.8 15.6 11.9 7.9 4.8 1.7
1983 12.2 2.0 20.7 28.2 24.0 19.2 15.6 11.9 7.8 4.6 1.7
1982 12.1 2.5 19.9 28.0 23.8 19.0 15.3 11.5 7.3 4.4 1.7
1981 11.9 2.0 18.5 27.6 22.8 18.6 15.2 11.0 5.8 1.7
1980 12.0 2.5 18.5 28.1 22.8 18.8 14.8 11.1 7.2 4.5 1.8
1979 11.2 1.7 17.2 25.4 20.9 17.1 13.8 10.5 7.0 4.4 1.9
 Age at date of divorce - rate per 1,000 married population
60 and
Year All ages Under 202 20-242 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-543 55-593 over
1978 11.6 1.6 17.1 25.3 21.3 17.8 14.4 10.9 7.3 4.9 2.1
1977 10.4 1.8 14.8 22.4 18.9 16.0 12.8 9.5 6.4 4.4 2.1
1976 10.1 1.5 14.2 21.4 18.9 15.7 12.5 9.1 6.2 4.3 2.0
1975 9.6 0.6 u 12.9 20.1 18.0 15.1 11.5 8.5 5.2 2.0
1974 9.0 0.9 11.0 18.4 17.2 13.7 11.0 8.0 5.2 2.1
1973 8.4 0.6 9.3 16.9 16.0 13.0 10.0 7.6 5.1 2.0
1972 9.5 0.2 u 8.7 18.0 17.5 14.0 11.0 8.8 6.4 3.2
1971 5.9 0.1 u 5.2 12.5 11.8 9.1 6.7 5.2 3.6 1.8
1970 4.7 0.1 u 4.6 10.9 10.1 7.8 5.6 3.9 2.3 0.7
1969 4.1 0.2 u 4.0 9.5 9.0 6.6 4.8 3.6 2.1 0.6
1968 3.7 0.2 u 3.7 8.2 7.9 6.0 4.4 3.4 1.9 0.6
1967 3.5 0.3 u 3.2 7.7 7.4 5.6 4.2 3.3 1.9 0.5
1966 3.2 0.1 u 2.7 6.8 6.8 5.1 4.0 2.9 1.7 0.5
1965 3.1 0.1 u 2.7 6.5 6.3 5.0 3.9 3.0 1.7 0.5
1964 2.9 0.3 u 2.4 5.8 6.0 4.6 3.4 2.8 1.6 0.5
1963 2.7 u 2.1 5.3 5.2 4.2 3.4 2.6 1.5 0.4
1962 2.4 u 1.8 4.5 4.8 3.8 3.2 2.4 1.4 0.4
1961 2.1 u 1.5 4.0 4.2 3.4 2.8 2.1 1.3 0.4
1960 2.0 u 1.3 3.6 3.9 3.3 2.6 2.0 1.2 0.3
1959 2.1 u 1.2 3.5 3.9 3.2 2.9 2.1 1.3 0.3
1958 1.9 u 1.1 3.2 3.6 3.1 2.6 2.0 1.2 0.3
1957 2.1 u 1.1 3.5 3.7 3.3 2.6 2.2 1.3 0.3
1956 2.3 2.0 4.0 4.2 3.5 3.0 2.3 1.3 0.3
1955 2.4 2.1 4.2 4.4 3.7 3.0 2.3 1.3 0.3
1954 2.5 2.1 4.3 4.4 4.1 3.2 2.3 1.4 0.3
1953 2.7 2.2 4.8 5.0 4.3 3.4 2.6 1.4 0.4
1952 3.0 2.1 5.3 5.7 4.8 3.8 2.8 1.7 0.4
1951 2.6 2.0 4.8 5.0 4.2 3.2 2.3 1.3 0.3
1950 2.8 2.3 6.0 5.2 4.3 3.2 2.3 1.3 0.3

Rates are not calculated where there are fewer than 3 divorces in a cell, denoted by (u). It is ONS practice not to calculate rates
where there are fewer than 3 divorces in a cell, as rates based on such low numbers are susceptible to inaccurate interpretation.
Rates which are based on between 3 and 19 divorces are displayed in tables but are denoted by (u) as a warning to the user that
their reliability as a measure may be affected by the small number of events.

1. Rates for 2002 to 2012 have been recalculated using the new population estimates by marital status published in July 2015. Rates may
therefore differ from those previously published. For more information see the metadata tab.
2. Age groups 'Under 20' and '20-24' not available separately for the years 1950-1956.
3. Age groups '50-54' and '55-59' not available separately for the years 1981 and 1950-1975.
 Age at date of divorce - rate per 1,000 married population
60 and
Year All ages Under 202 20-242 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-543 55-593 over

Source: Office for National Statistics Released 23 November 2015

Contents
Table 3b Divorce rates by age of wife at divorce, 1950-20131

England and Wales

Age at date of divorce - rate per 1,000 married population
60 and
Year All ages Under 202 20-242 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-543 55-593 over

2013 9.8 6.9 16.3 16.8 16.2 16.2 16.3 14.0 10.0 5.7 1.7
2012 10.0 2.9 17.0 18.7 17.5 17.0 16.8 14.3 9.7 5.7 1.6
2011 10.1 4.1 16.4 18.5 18.5 17.5 16.9 13.9 9.5 5.5 1.6
2010 10.2 4.6 16.9 19.0 17.9 18.5 17.1 13.7 9.2 5.1 1.6
2009 9.8 4.5 16.1 18.2 17.5 17.3 15.8 13.0 8.4 4.9 1.5
2008 10.5 2.8 17.1 19.5 18.5 18.3 17.3 13.7 9.0 5.2 1.6
2007 11.0 5.2 18.2 21.2 20.3 19.0 18.3 13.9 9.1 5.2 1.5
2006 11.4 7.2 20.9 21.9 20.6 20.6 18.3 13.8 9.3 5.2 1.4
2005 12.1 6.2 23.8 23.5 22.7 21.7 19.2 14.5 9.3 5.3 1.5
2004 13.2 13.7 25.3 26.6 25.8 23.5 20.7 14.8 9.5 5.4 1.5
2003 13.2 8.6 28.7 27.0 26.8 23.7 19.9 14.4 8.9 5.3 1.4
2002 12.7 9.2 23.2 27.9 26.6 23.0 18.3 13.3 8.2 4.8 1.3
2001 12.9 6.0 25.5 29.2 27.6 23.0 17.9 12.8 8.0 4.6 1.3
2000 12.6 7.4 26.2 29.0 26.6 21.9 16.8 12.4 7.7 4.5 1.3
1999 12.9 6.6 27.6 30.6 26.9 21.9 16.9 12.0 7.6 4.3 1.2
1998 12.9 7.6 30.6 31.4 26.6 21.3 16.4 11.7 7.2 4.0 1.2
1997 12.9 7.8 29.8 31.3 26.3 20.8 16.1 11.4 7.2 4.1 1.2
1996 13.7 7.7 32.6 33.2 27.6 21.8 16.6 11.8 7.4 4.1 1.2
1995 13.5 8.3 32.0 31.7 26.7 21.1 16.5 11.4 7.0 4.1 1.1
1994 13.6 10.2 31.1 31.9 26.8 21.0 16.1 11.4 6.8 3.9 1.2
1993 14.1 11.8 32.3 33.1 27.2 21.8 16.6 11.4 6.8 3.9 1.1
1992 13.6 10.9 30.0 31.3 26.1 20.6 15.8 11.0 6.6 3.8 1.2
1991 13.4 9.9 29.9 30.7 25.0 19.9 15.0 10.9 6.5 3.6 1.2
1990 12.9 10.6 27.9 30.1 23.9 18.8 14.4 10.4 6.1 3.4 1.2
1989 12.7 10.2 28.4 29.0 23.0 18.2 14.0 10.1 5.9 3.5 1.2
1988 12.8 10.6 28.9 28.8 22.8 18.1 14.3 10.3 6.1 3.5 1.2
1987 12.6 12.7 29.6 28.3 22.4 17.5 13.8 9.9 5.8 3.4 1.2
1986 12.8 15.0 31.9 28.6 22.0 17.1 14.2 9.9 5.5 3.4 1.3
1985 13.3 14.2 36.3 29.7 22.0 17.4 14.2 10.0 6.0 3.5 1.4
1984 12.0 2.6 24.8 26.5 20.8 16.8 13.6 9.5 5.7 3.4 1.4
1983 12.2 2.6 25.5 27.1 21.1 17.1 13.6 9.4 5.6 3.3 1.4
1982 12.0 3.0 25.2 27.0 20.8 16.9 13.2 9.1 5.3 3.2 1.4
1981 11.9 3.0 24.4 26.7 20.2 16.6 12.9 8.7 4.3 1.4
1980 12.0 2.6 24.9 26.9 20.4 16.4 12.8 8.8 5.4 3.4 1.6
1979 11.2 2.2 23.0 24.2 18.7 15.2 12.0 8.4 5.2 3.3 1.6
 Age at date of divorce - rate per 1,000 married population
60 and
Year All ages Under 202 20-242 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-543 55-593 over
1978 11.6 2.1 22.1 24.4 19.2 15.9 12.7 8.7 5.5 3.8 1.9
1977 10.3 1.2 18.7 21.1 17.7 14.4 11.1 7.8 5.2 3.5 1.9
1976 10.1 0.7 16.4 20.4 18.3 14.2 11.0 7.5 5.1 3.6 1.9
1975 9.6 0.5 14.9 19.9 17.0 13.4 10.2 7.3 4.3 2.0
1974 9.0 0.4 12.8 18.0 15.9 12.5 9.4 6.9 4.4 2.0
1973 8.4 0.8 13.3 17.4 14.4 11.5 8.4 6.3 4.2 1.8
1972 9.4 0.5 13.1 18.9 15.6 12.2 9.5 7.7 5.4 3.2
1971 5.9 0.4 8.4 13.0 10.5 7.7 5.8 4.5 2.9 1.6
1970 4.7 0.3 7.5 11.4 9.0 6.4 4.6 3.3 1.7 0.5
1969 4.1 0.4 6.5 10.1 8.0 5.5 4.1 3.0 1.5 0.5
1968 3.7 0.3 5.9 8.7 7.1 5.1 3.8 2.8 1.4 0.4
1967 3.5 0.4 5.4 8.4 6.6 4.8 3.7 2.7 1.4 0.4
1966 3.2 0.3 4.7 7.6 6.1 4.4 3.4 2.5 1.3 0.4
1965 3.1 0.3 4.6 7.3 5.7 4.3 3.4 2.5 1.3 0.3
1964 2.9 0.4 4.1 6.7 5.2 4.0 3.1 2.3 1.3 0.4
1963 2.7 0.2 3.6 6.0 4.8 3.7 2.9 2.3 1.2 0.3
1962 2.4 0.1 u 3.2 5.2 4.3 3.4 2.8 2.0 1.1 0.3
1961 2.1 0.1 u 2.7 4.6 3.9 3.0 2.4 1.8 1.0 0.2
1960 2.0 0.1 u 2.5 4.2 3.6 2.9 2.3 1.8 0.9 0.2
1959 2.1 0.2 u 2.3 4.1 3.7 2.9 2.5 1.8 1.0 0.2
1958 1.9 0.1 u 2.2 3.8 3.3 2.8 2.3 1.7 0.9 0.2
1957 2.0 0.2 u 2.2 4.1 3.6 2.9 2.3 1.8 0.9 0.2
1956 2.3 2.9 4.5 4.0 3.2 2.6 1.9 0.9 0.2
1955 2.3 3.0 4.6 4.2 3.2 2.6 2.0 0.9 0.2
1954 2.5 2.9 4.9 4.2 3.7 2.7 2.0 1.0 0.2
1953 2.7 3.2 5.3 4.7 3.9 2.9 2.2 1.1 0.2
1952 3.0 3.3 6.1 5.3 4.3 3.3 2.4 1.2 0.3
1951 2.6 2.9 5.3 4.8 3.6 2.8 1.9 1.0 0.2
1950 2.8 3.3 6.1 5.1 3.8 2.8 2.1 0.9 0.2

Rates are not calculated where there are fewer than 3 divorces in a cell, denoted by (u). It is ONS practice not to calculate rates
where there are fewer than 3 divorces in a cell, as rates based on such low numbers are susceptible to inaccurate interpretation.
Rates which are based on between 3 and 19 divorces are displayed in tables but are denoted by (u) as a warning to the user that
their reliability as a measure may be affected by the small number of events.

1. Rates for 2002 to 2012 have been recalculated using the new population estimates by marital status published in July 2015. Rates may
therefore differ from those previously published. For more information see the metadata tab.
2. Age groups 'Under 20' and '20-24' not available separately for the years 1950-1956.
3. Age groups '50-54' and '55-59' not available separately for the years 1981 and 1950-1975.
 Age at date of divorce - rate per 1,000 married population
60 and
Year All ages Under 202 20-242 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-543 55-593 over

Source: Office for National Statistics Released 23 November 2015

Contents
Table 4 Ages at divorce of husband and wife in combination (numbers), 2013

England and Wales

Age of husband at date of divorce
Age of wife at 60 and
date of divorce All ages Under 20 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 over

All ages 114,720 10 718 5,998 14,155 17,391 21,278 20,606 15,577 9,122 9,865

Under 20 26 9 12 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
20-24 1,871 1 437 872 346 141 43 20 3 4 4
25-29 10,172 0 174 3,533 4,080 1,500 544 192 93 27 29
30-34 17,521 0 60 1,153 6,844 5,643 2,421 875 323 116 86
35-39 18,526 0 25 255 1,909 6,699 6,126 2,339 767 247 159
40-44 21,278 0 4 108 613 2,342 8,485 6,358 2,328 661 379
45-49 19,492 0 5 48 227 748 2,679 8,012 5,369 1,580 824
50-54 13,032 0 1 9 88 224 732 2,147 5,262 3,134 1,435
55-59 6,587 0 0 10 38 63 187 491 1,057 2,601 2,140
60 and over 6,215 0 0 5 10 31 61 172 375 752 4,809

Source: Office for National Statistics Released 23 November 2015

Contents
Table 5 Men divorcing: age at divorce and previous marital statuses1 of husband and wife (numbers), 2013

England and Wales

All Single men who divorced Widowers who divorced Divorced men who divorced
Age last All single All divorced Single Divorced Single Divorced Single Divorced
birthday All men men widowers men women Widows women women Widows women women Widows women

All ages 114,720 92,351 724 21,645 81,822 317 10,212 224 82 418 10,641 377 10,627

Under 20 10 10 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
20-24 718 716 0 2 678 1 37 0 0 0 1 0 1
25-29 5,998 5,949 2 47 5,663 9 277 2 0 0 37 0 10
30-34 14,155 13,811 4 340 12,925 21 865 3 0 1 256 4 80
35-39 17,391 16,266 17 1,108 14,718 38 1,510 9 1 7 761 4 343
40-44 21,278 18,283 47 2,948 15,891 47 2,345 23 2 22 1,807 26 1,115
45-49 20,606 15,975 74 4,557 13,535 57 2,383 35 5 34 2,375 48 2,134
50-54 15,577 10,785 89 4,703 9,185 63 1,537 40 3 46 2,245 70 2,388
55-59 9,122 5,589 103 3,430 4,854 36 699 25 8 70 1,468 77 1,885
60-64 5,217 2,823 115 2,279 2,466 22 335 29 6 80 925 57 1,297
65-69 2,890 1,376 113 1,401 1,217 9 150 33 13 67 484 46 871
70-74 1,125 500 66 559 441 7 52 11 12 43 201 25 333
75-79 424 179 44 201 160 4 15 6 11 27 50 15 136
80-84 139 60 29 50 53 3 4 4 10 15 23 3 24
85-89 55 23 16 16 20 0 3 1 9 6 6 2 8
90 and over 15 6 5 4 6 0 0 3 2 0 2 0 2

1. The term 'single' means men and women who have never been married.

Source: Office for National Statistics Released 23 November 2015

Contents
Table 6 Women divorcing: age at divorce and previous marital statuses1 of husband and wife (numbers), 2013

England and Wales

All Single women who divorced Widows who divorced Divorced women who divorced
Age last All All single All divorced Single Divorced Single Divorced Single Divorced
birthday women women widows women men Widowers men men Widowers men men Widowers men

All ages 114,720 92,687 776 21,257 81,822 224 10,641 317 82 377 10,212 418 10,627

Under 20 26 26 0 0 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
20-24 1,871 1,863 0 8 1,805 2 56 0 0 0 6 0 2
25-29 10,172 10,028 4 140 9,456 11 561 3 0 1 110 0 30
30-34 17,521 16,753 17 751 15,285 22 1,446 13 1 3 537 2 212
35-39 18,526 16,627 31 1,868 14,689 30 1,908 16 2 13 1,198 15 655
40-44 21,278 17,168 90 4,020 14,721 44 2,403 50 3 37 2,202 49 1,769
45-49 19,492 14,209 124 5,159 12,033 43 2,133 61 4 59 2,568 68 2,523
50-54 13,032 8,781 132 4,119 7,428 35 1,318 63 10 59 1,775 70 2,274
55-59 6,587 3,962 109 2,516 3,445 19 498 44 6 59 966 70 1,480
60-64 3,529 1,921 85 1,523 1,694 9 218 29 7 49 530 68 925
65-69 1,818 937 92 789 851 7 79 23 17 52 222 40 527
70-74 558 276 41 241 263 0 13 6 9 26 68 24 149
75-79 204 90 23 91 81 1 8 3 9 11 22 9 60
80-84 71 33 17 21 33 0 0 4 8 5 7 3 11
85-89 23 6 7 10 5 1 0 0 4 3 1 0 9
90 and over 12 7 4 1 7 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1

1. The term 'single' means men and women who have never been married.

Source: Office for National Statistics Released 23 November 2015

Contents
Table 7 Marital statuses1 before marriage of husband and wife (numbers), 1957-2013

England and Wales

Combination of husband's and wife's
Husband's previous marital status Wife's previous marital status previous marital status

First Both
marriage One party parties
of both previously previously
Year All Single Widowed Divorced Single Widowed Divorced parties divorced divorced Others

2013 114,720 92,351 724 21,645 92,687 776 21,257 81,822 21,648 10,627 623
2012 118,140 94,790 753 22,597 95,050 868 22,222 83,684 22,791 11,014 651
2011 117,558 93,690 766 23,102 93,984 858 22,716 82,409 23,146 11,336 667
2010 119,589 95,164 820 23,605 95,443 906 23,240 83,581 23,775 11,535 698
2009 113,949 90,461 779 22,709 90,697 858 22,394 79,332 22,815 11,144 658
2008 121,708 96,339 848 24,521 96,775 884 24,049 84,466 24,586 11,992 664
2007 128,131 101,351 885 25,895 101,741 957 25,433 88,762 25,978 12,675 716
2006 132,140 103,998 898 27,244 104,485 1,017 26,638 90,792 27,248 13,317 783
2005 141,322 111,335 936 29,051 111,690 1,023 28,609 97,349 28,720 14,470 783
2004 152,923 120,770 1,084 31,069 121,383 1,155 30,385 105,898 30,802 15,326 897
2003 153,065 121,051 990 31,024 121,557 1,201 30,307 106,140 30,879 15,226 820
2002 147,735 116,913 1,113 29,709 117,533 1,146 29,056 102,774 29,389 14,688 884
2001 143,818 114,311 1,057 28,450 114,631 1,131 28,056 100,541 28,306 14,100 871
2000 141,135 112,068 1,129 27,938 112,605 1,097 27,433 98,824 27,595 13,888 828
1999 144,556 115,108 1,174 28,274 115,426 1,213 27,917 101,548 27,915 14,138 955
1998 145,214 115,972 1,122 28,120 116,756 1,227 27,231 102,677 27,859 13,746 932
1997 146,689 117,272 1,242 28,175 118,329 1,294 27,066 104,205 27,653 13,794 1,037
1996 157,107 125,827 1,374 29,906 126,919 1,421 28,767 111,977 29,413 14,630 1,087
1995 155,499 125,068 1,307 29,124 126,011 1,482 28,006 111,485 28,708 14,211 1,095
1994 158,175 127,513 1,356 29,306 128,889 1,421 27,865 114,174 28,641 14,265 1,095
1993 165,018 133,529 1,408 30,081 134,857 1,523 28,638 119,911 29,173 14,773 1,161
1992 160,385 130,547 1,436 28,402 131,641 1,555 27,189 117,565 27,679 13,956 1,185
1991 158,745 129,784 1,407 27,554 130,897 1,622 26,226 117,232 26,806 13,487 1,220
1990 153,386 125,655 1,487 26,244 126,849 1,707 24,830 113,898 25,378 12,848 1,262
1989 150,872 123,871 1,579 25,422 124,911 1,708 24,253 112,343 24,765 12,455 1,309
1988 152,633 126,032 1,719 24,882 127,025 1,829 23,779 114,661 24,451 12,105 1,416
1987 151,007 125,191 1,703 24,113 126,184 1,840 22,983 114,111 23,766 11,665 1,465
1986 153,903 127,961 1,910 24,032 128,766 1,997 23,140 116,677 24,106 11,533 1,587
1985 160,300 133,135 2,173 24,992 133,791 2,410 24,099 121,601 24,505 12,293 1,901
1984 144,501 122,239 1,855 20,407 122,782 2,050 19,669 112,453 20,596 9,740 1,712
1983 147,479 126,071 1,857 19,551 126,383 2,213 18,883 116,171 20,474 8,980 1,854
1982 146,698 126,917 1,836 17,945 127,259 2,120 17,319 117,731 19,000 8,132 1,835
1981 145,713 127,564 1,929 16,220 127,685 2,175 15,853 118,750 17,881 7,096 1,986
 Combination of husband's and wife's
Husband's previous marital status Wife's previous marital status previous marital status

First Both
marriage One party parties
of both previously previously
Year All Single Widowed Divorced Single Widowed Divorced parties divorced divorced Others
1980 148,301 131,404 1,894 15,003 131,383 2,270 14,648 122,890 17,051 6,300 2,060
1979 138,706 123,843 1,903 12,960 123,742 2,216 12,748 116,139 15,200 5,254 2,113
1978 143,667 129,471 2,026 12,170 129,247 2,363 12,057 121,929 14,631 4,798 2,309
1977 129,053 116,845 1,912 10,296 116,873 2,219 9,961 110,328 12,711 3,773 2,241
1976 126,694 115,682 1,805 9,207 115,915 2,128 8,651 109,751 11,580 3,139 2,224
1975 120,522 111,121 1,850 7,551 111,017 2,027 7,478 105,706 10,007 2,511 2,298
1974 113,500 104,824 1,746 6,930 104,806 2,033 6,661 99,876 9,235 2,178 2,211
1973 106,003 98,165 1,617 6,221 98,098 1,934 5,971 93,530 8,356 1,918 2,199
1972 119,025 110,565 2,050 6,410 110,328 2,358 6,339 105,367 8,997 1,876 2,785
1971 74,437 69,283 1,205 3,949 69,341 1,358 3,738 66,201 5,475 1,106 1,655
1970 58,239 54,336 866 3,037 54,304 1,022 2,913 51,933 4,270 840 1,196
1969 51,310 47,797 797 2,716 47,852 899 2,559 45,688 3,805 735 1,082
1968 45,794 42,606 794 2,394 42,560 865 2,369 40,669 3,381 691 1,053
1967 43,093 40,132 722 2,239 40,174 886 2,033 38,350 3,076 598 1,069
1966 39,067 36,378 747 1,942 36,234 821 2,012 34,609 2,872 541 1,045
1965 37,785 35,170 703 1,912 34,956 860 1,969 33,415 2,795 543 1,032
1964 34,868 32,340 715 1,813 32,249 855 1,764 30,709 2,575 501 1,083
1963 32,052 29,655 645 1,752 29,577 762 1,713 28,110 2,497 484 961
1962 28,935 26,740 633 1,562 26,711 705 1,519 25,361 2,225 428 921
1961 25,394 23,484 561 1,349 23,388 615 1,391 22,230 1,992 374 798
1960 23,868 21,947 608 1,313 21,953 686 1,229 20,762 1,854 344 908
1959 24,286 22,315 594 1,377 22,357 656 1,273 21,134 1,860 395 897
1958 22,654 20,921 605 1,128 20,915 639 1,100 19,844 1,634 297 879
1957 23,785 21,996 613 1,176 22,053 659 1,073 20,869 1,707 271 938

1. The term 'single' means men and women who have never been married.

Source: Office for National Statistics Released 23 November 2015

Contents
Table 8 Divorces granted to a sole party: Party to whom granted and fact proven at divorce (numbers), 1974-2013

England and Wales

Fact proven Fact proven
Separation Separation
Party to (2 years (2 years
Year of whom and Separation and Separation
divorce granted Total Adultery Behaviour Desertion consent) (5 years) Others1 Total Adultery Behaviour Desertion consent) (5 years) Others1
Numbers Percentages by fact proven
2013 Husband 40,538 5,263 15,332 308 12,750 6,871 14 100 13 38 1 31 17 0
Wife 73,976 9,907 39,879 454 16,304 7,380 52 100 13 54 1 22 10 0

2012 Husband 41,542 5,675 15,210 334 13,237 7,047 39 100 14 37 1 32 17 0

Wife 76,400 10,320 41,248 385 16,973 7,231 243 100 14 54 1 22 9 0

2011 Husband 40,369 6,173 14,597 216 13,046 6,319 18 100 15 36 1 32 16 0

Wife 77,016 11,129 41,835 319 16,773 6,801 159 100 15 54 0 22 9 0

2010 Husband 40,301 6,595 14,516 214 12,897 6,016 63 100 16 36 1 32 15 0

Wife 79,124 12,150 43,186 276 16,966 6,430 116 100 15 55 0 21 8 0

2009 Husband 37,988 6,493 13,266 195 12,530 5,438 66 100 17 35 1 33 14 0

Wife 75,782 12,096 41,091 239 16,305 5,915 136 100 16 54 0 22 8 0

2008 Husband 40,085 7,328 13,790 230 12,999 5,670 68 100 18 34 1 32 14 0

Wife 81,393 13,437 43,773 276 17,254 6,505 148 100 17 54 0 21 8 0

2007 Husband 40,815 8,058 13,613 170 13,278 5,632 64 100 26 30 1 31 13 0

Wife 87,075 14,997 47,185 281 17,907 6,547 158 100 20 52 0 21 7 0

2006 Husband 41,570 8,801 13,405 210 13,264 5,830 60 100 25 30 1 32 13 0

Wife 90,300 16,062 48,609 288 18,432 6,771 138 100 19 52 0 21 7 0

2005 Husband 44,466 10,049 13,920 234 14,116 6,108 39 100 23 31 1 32 14 0

Wife 96,551 17,864 51,040 357 20,178 7,052 60 100 19 53 0 21 7 0

2004 Husband 47,507 11,767 14,314 230 14,980 6,213 3 100 21 32 1 32 14 0

Wife 105,051 20,167 54,309 424 22,464 7,682 5 100 18 54 0 20 8 0

2003 Husband 46,790 12,147 13,921 267 14,559 5,888 8 100 20 33 0 33 14 0

Wife 105,912 21,090 54,815 397 22,284 7,321 5 100 17 54 0 21 8 0

2002 Husband 44,694 11,849 13,150 262 14,037 5,391 5 100 27 29 1 31 12 0

Wife 102,676 20,980 53,330 419 21,439 6,505 3 100 20 52 0 21 6 0

2001 Husband 44,378 12,073 12,786 277 13,834 5,402 6 100 27 29 1 31 12 0

Wife 98,992 20,766 51,982 412 19,869 5,953 10 100 21 53 0 20 6 0

2000 Husband 42,311 12,227 11,688 269 13,261 4,851 15 100 29 28 1 31 12 0

 Fact proven Fact proven
Separation Separation
Party to (2 years (2 years
Year of whom and Separation and Separation
divorce granted Total Adultery Behaviour Desertion consent) (5 years) Others1 Total Adultery Behaviour Desertion consent) (5 years) Others1
Wife 98,227 21,083 51,494 411 19,559 5,647 33 100 22 52 0 20 6 0

1999 Husband 43,411 12,895 11,856 287 13,574 4,772 27 100 30 27 1 31 11 0

Wife 100,470 21,688 52,961 426 19,908 5,420 67 100 22 53 0 20 5 0

1998 Husband 42,898 13,706 11,450 298 12,943 4,466 35 100 32 27 1 30 10 0

Wife 101,576 22,610 53,803 492 19,449 5,148 74 100 22 53 0 19 5 0

1997 Husband 43,739 14,734 11,202 375 12,936 4,454 38 100 34 26 1 30 10 0

Wife 102,172 22,858 53,845 537 19,702 5,138 92 100 22 53 1 19 5 0

1996 Husband 46,707 16,067 11,309 395 13,916 4,978 42 100 34 24 1 30 11 0

Wife 109,484 23,944 57,673 635 21,505 5,644 83 100 22 53 1 20 5 0

1995 Husband 45,817 16,281 11,136 410 13,390 4,552 48 100 36 24 1 29 10 0

Wife 108,759 23,896 57,027 698 21,639 5,375 124 100 22 52 1 20 5 0

1994 Husband 44,914 16,575 10,618 384 12,799 4,458 80 100 37 24 1 28 10 0

Wife 112,407 24,871 60,309 677 21,196 5,129 225 100 22 54 1 19 5 0

1993 Husband 46,081 17,859 10,632 371 12,691 4,435 93 100 39 23 1 28 10 0

Wife 118,122 26,607 63,948 747 21,451 5,118 251 100 23 54 1 18 4 0

1992 Husband 44,195 17,992 10,154 315 11,323 4,311 100 100 41 23 1 26 10 0
Wife 115,392 26,136 63,752 706 19,671 4,870 257 100 23 55 1 17 4 0

1991 Husband 43,959 18,353 9,937 348 11,006 4,209 106 100 42 23 1 25 10 0
Wife 113,946 26,380 63,329 734 18,407 4,821 275 100 23 56 1 16 4 0

1990 Husband 42,958 18,143 9,370 330 10,754 4,261 100 100 42 22 1 25 10 0
Wife 109,565 25,893 60,010 694 17,955 4,702 311 100 24 55 1 16 4 0

1989 Husband 42,350 18,289 8,703 349 10,638 4,280 91 100 43 21 1 25 10 0

Wife 107,763 25,742 58,013 764 18,168 4,753 323 100 24 54 1 17 4 0

1988 Husband 42,977 18,719 8,659 360 10,672 4,468 99 100 44 20 1 25 10 0

Wife 108,755 26,779 57,454 763 18,539 4,921 299 100 25 53 1 17 5 0

1987 Husband 42,568 18,989 7,846 418 10,790 4,388 137 100 45 18 1 25 10 0
Wife 107,556 26,944 55,844 866 18,830 4,725 347 100 25 52 1 18 4 0

1986 Husband 43,232 19,016 7,514 459 11,492 4,656 95 100 44 17 1 27 11 0

Wife 109,590 27,000 55,989 1,015 20,419 4,828 339 100 25 51 1 19 4 0

1985 Husband 44,326 19,560 7,030 581 12,501 4,566 88 100 44 16 1 28 10 0

 Fact proven Fact proven
Separation Separation
Party to (2 years (2 years
Year of whom and Separation and Separation
divorce granted Total Adultery Behaviour Desertion consent) (5 years) Others1 Total Adultery Behaviour Desertion consent) (5 years) Others1
Wife 114,769 27,887 56,867 1,382 23,252 4,979 402 100 24 50 1 20 4 0

1984 Husband 40,648 17,614 5,499 561 12,100 4,774 100 100 43 14 1 30 12 0
Wife 102,517 25,370 47,514 1,462 22,439 5,370 362 100 25 46 1 22 5 0

1983 Husband 41,221 18,151 5,243 678 12,219 4,820 110 100 44 13 2 30 12 0
Wife 104,860 25,571 48,849 1,803 22,850 5,384 403 100 24 47 2 22 5 0

1982 Husband 41,375 18,010 4,767 771 12,831 4,867 129 100 44 12 2 31 12 0
Wife 103,823 25,267 47,573 2,104 22,926 5,531 422 100 24 46 2 22 5 0

1981 Husband 42,073 18,262 4,343 873 13,399 5,072 124 100 43 10 2 32 12 0
Wife 102,148 25,625 44,482 2,343 23,348 5,888 462 100 25 44 2 23 6 0

1980 Husband 43,650 18,340 4,148 1,087 14,120 5,753 202 100 42 10 2 32 13 0
Wife 103,218 25,845 43,129 2,831 24,195 6,551 667 100 25 42 3 23 6 1

1979 Husband 41,720 16,974 3,640 1,144 13,813 5,924 225 100 41 9 3 33 14 1
Wife 95,733 23,105 39,137 2,934 22,981 6,811 765 100 24 41 3 24 7 1

1978 Husband 44,515 17,642 4,059 1,298 14,373 6,850 293 100 40 9 3 32 15 1
Wife 98,462 22,883 40,071 3,557 23,358 7,543 1050 100 23 41 4 24 8 1

1977 Husband 39,411 15,705 3,187 1,174 12,462 6,574 309 100 40 8 3 32 17 1
Wife 89,081 21,601 35,078 3,444 20,779 6,941 1238 100 24 39 4 23 8 1

1976 Husband 38,647 15,591 2,846 1,188 12,203 6,445 374 100 40 7 3 32 17 1
Wife 87,361 21,337 33,351 3,935 20,122 7,134 1482 100 24 38 5 23 8 2

1975 Husband 38,385 15,628 2,390 1,381 11,814 6,793 379 100 41 6 4 31 18 1
Wife 81,407 20,528 28,668 4,165 19,312 7,319 1415 100 25 35 5 24 9 2

1974 Husband 37,681 14,879 2,165 1,868 10,581 7,766 422 100 39 6 5 28 21 1
Wife 72,916 18,403 23,894 4,629 16,746 7,833 1,411 100 25 33 6 23 11 2

Notes:
This table excludes divorces which were granted to both parties jointly, divorces granted on petitions filed prior to 1 January 1971 and annulments
Percentages may not sum due to rounding

1. Cases which have a combination of facts proven.

Source: Office for National Statistics Released 23 November 2015

Contents

Related publications

Divorces metadata
Supporting information for these tables can be found in divorces metadata.

Quality and Methodology Information

A Quality and Methodology Information note for Divorce statistics.

Marriage statistics are available on the ONS website

Civil partnership statistics are available on the ONS website

Divorce, marriage and civil partnership statistics for the United Kingdom and its constituent
countries are available in:
Vital Statistics: Population and Health Reference Tables