Couples Putting Off Divorce Amid Cost of Living Crisis, Lawyers Say
ONS figures show the average length of marriages ending in divorce in England and Wales reached a record high last year, with lawyers citing financial pressures.
Couples in England and Wales are increasingly putting off divorce due to the cost of living crisis, according to lawyers cited by The Guardian.
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Wednesday showed that the average marriage ending in divorce lasted 13 years in 2025, the longest duration since records began in 1963.
The figure marks an increase from a record low of 8.9 years recorded in 1985, reflecting a broader shift in the timing of divorces among couples.
Lawyers said financial pressures linked to the rising cost of living have contributed to couples delaying formal separation, even when relationships have broken down.
The ONS data provides a snapshot of divorce trends in England and Wales, though the report did not specify additional regional or demographic breakdowns of the figures.
Sources
- Couples ‘putting off divorce due to cost of living crisis’ in England and Wales — The Guardian — World
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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