Divorce Statistics

“Everything you need to know about divorce – facts, statistics, and rates” by Wilkinson and Finkbeiner Lawyers

• The average total cost of divorce in the United States is $15,000.
• A new study entitled “Divorce and Death” shows that broken marriages can kill at the same rate as smoking cigarettes. Indications that the risk of dying is a full 23% higher among divorcées than married people.
• An annual income of over $50,000 can decrease risk of divorce by as much as 30% versus those with an income of under $25k. 
• I personally think it is best to marry someone who is at least in the same tax bracket.  Too much gap in wages could mean someone is marrying for the wrong reasons (sugar momma, sugar daddy, etc).
• The same study also found that couples with no assets at the beginning of a three-year period are 70% more likely to divorce by the end of that period than couples with $10,000 in assets.
• Those with “below average” IQs are 50% more likely to be divorced than those with “above average” IQs.
• Individuals who have attended college have a 13% lower risk of divorce.
• Pornography addiction was cited as a factor in 56% of divorces according to a recent study.
• If a guy you’ve met does struggle in this area (ASK!), do NOT commit until he quits for good. Why should the guy be able to look at explicit pictures of other women and you can’t go out to simple dinners with other guys? Commitment is a two-way street.
• Each liter of alcohol consumer raises the chance of divorce by 20%! Factor in that the average American drinks 9.4 liters of Alcohol per year, raising their divorce likely hood by 188%!
• A multi-national study of mental disorders, marriage and divorce published in 2011 found that a sample of 18 mental disorders all increased the likelihood of divorce — ranging from a 20% increase to an 80% increase in the divorce rate. Addictions and major depression were the highest factors, with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) also significant.
• A recent study of divorce petitions found that nearly 15% of them cited video game addiction as a major factor in the decision to get divorced.
• The risk of divorce was said to be almost doubled – 97% higher – when the mother went out to work but her husband made a “minimal contribution” to housework and childcare.
• If a person has strong religious beliefs, the risk of divorce is 14% less and having no religious affiliation makes you 14% more likely to get divorced. Amen!

“United States Divorce Statistics” by U.S. Census Bureau

• Percentage of divorce due to economic problems in 1997: 4.2%
• Percentage of divorce due to irreconcilable differences in 1997: 80%