Divorce Rates by Country (2024): Global Statistics & What They Mean for US Divorces

Divorce rates vary dramatically across countries, from less than 1% in some nations to over 70% in others. While these global statistics are fascinating, if you're considering divorce in the United States, what matters most is understanding your specific state's divorce laws and requirements.

Quick Global Overview:

• Highest divorce rate: Maldives (10.97 per 1,000 people)

• Lowest divorce rate: Guatemala (0.4 per 1,000 people)

• United States: 2.5 per 1,000 people (42-45% of marriages end in divorce)

But here's what most people miss: In the US, your state matters more than national statistics. Getting divorced in California is fundamentally different from getting divorced in Texas, New York, or Ohio.

Global Divorce Rates by Country

Highest Divorce Rates Worldwide

Top 10 Countries by Divorce Rate (per 1,000 population):

1. Maldives - 10.97

2. Kazakhstan - 4.6

3. Russia - 3.9

4. Belgium - 3.7

5. Cuba - 3.6

6. Belarus - 3.4

7. United States - 2.5

8. Denmark - 2.6

9. Ukraine - 3.1

10. Lithuania - 3.1

Lowest Divorce Rates Worldwide

Countries with lowest divorce rates:

1. Guatemala - 0.4

2. Vietnam - 0.4

3. Peru - 0.5

4. Chile - 0.5

5. Mexico - 0.7

6. Bosnia and Herzegovina - 0.7

7. Sri Lanka - 0.8

8. Brazil - 1.4

9. Italy - 1.5

10. Turkey - 1.6

Why US Divorce Rates Matter More Than Global Statistics

If you're reading this article and live in the United States, global divorce statistics are interesting but not particularly useful. Here's why:

The US State-by-State Reality

The United States doesn't have one divorce system—it has 50.

Each state has completely different laws regarding:

• Residency requirements (6 weeks to 2 years)

• Waiting periods (none to 1 year separation)

• Property division (9 community property states, 41 equitable distribution states)

• Grounds for divorce (all no-fault, some with fault options)

• Filing costs ($70 to $450 depending on county)

Example: You can get divorced in Nevada after living there for just 6 weeks with no waiting period. Meanwhile, North Carolina requires 1 year of separation before you can even file.

This means: Where you file matters enormously more than national divorce rates.

→ Find divorce requirements in your state (internal link to state hub)

US Divorce Statistics: What You Actually Need to Know

National US Divorce Data

• Crude divorce rate: 2.5 per 1,000 population

• Percentage of marriages ending in divorce: 42-45%

• Median duration of marriage before divorce: 8 years

• Average age at divorce:

  • Men: 44.5 years

  • Women: 42.4 years

• Divorces with children involved: 40-50%

Divorce Rates Vary by US State

States with highest divorce rates:

1. Nevada - 4.2 per 1,000

2. Oklahoma - 3.8 per 1,000

3. Wyoming - 3.7 per 1,000

4. Alabama - 3.6 per 1,000

5. Arkansas - 3.6 per 1,000

States with lowest divorce rates:

1. Massachusetts - 1.5 per 1,000

2. New York - 1.6 per 1,000

3. Illinois - 1.7 per 1,000

4. New Jersey - 1.8 per 1,000

5. Connecticut - 1.9 per 1,000

But here's what matters more than statistics: Whether YOUR marriage is ending and how to navigate your state's specific divorce process.

→ See divorce costs in your state

Why Divorce Laws Differ by Country (And by US State)

Cultural and Legal Factors Globally

Countries with low divorce rates often have:

• Religious or cultural barriers to divorce

• Legal restrictions (no-divorce laws)

• Economic dependencies

• Social stigma

Countries with high divorce rates typically have:

• Liberal divorce laws

• Gender equality

• Economic independence for women

• Social acceptance of divorce

Why US States Have Different Laws

The United States Constitution leaves family law to individual states, which is why divorce laws vary so dramatically. This dates back to our federalist system where states retain authority over marriage and divorce.

The result: Getting divorced is fundamentally different depending on which state you live in.

For example:

• California requires 6-month residency AND 6-month waiting period (1 year minimum)

• Nevada requires only 6 weeks residency with no waiting period

• Ohio requires 6 months residency in state, 90 days in county, with no waiting period

• North Carolina requires 1 year physical separation before filing

What Global Divorce Trends Mean for Americans

Rising Divorce Rates Globally

Since the 1960s, divorce rates have increased in most developed countries due to:

• Women's economic independence

• Changing social attitudes

• Easier legal access to divorce

• Gender equality movements

The US followed this trend with divorce rates peaking in the 1980s and stabilizing since then.

Recent US Trends

• Overall divorce rate declining (from 4.0 in 2000 to 2.5 in 2024)

• But: Divorce rates rising among those 50+ ("gray divorce")

• Millennials have lower divorce rates than previous generations

• Marriage age rising correlates with more stable marriages

What this means for you: If you're considering divorce, you're part of a well-established legal process with clear procedures in your state.

How to Get Divorced in the United States

While global statistics are interesting, what you actually need is a roadmap for YOUR divorce in YOUR state.

Step 1: Determine Which State You'll File In

You must meet your state's residency requirement:

• Shortest: 6 weeks (Nevada, Alaska, Idaho)

• Longest: 1-2 years (New York, Iowa, Nebraska, Rhode Island)

• Most common: 6 months

Where to file: The state AND county where you currently live.

→ Find filing requirements for your county

Step 2: Understand Your State's Divorce Process

Each state has unique requirements:

Grounds for divorce:

• All 50 states allow no-fault divorce

• Some states also allow fault-based grounds

Property division:

• Community property states (9): Assets split 50/50

• Equitable distribution states (41): Fair division based on factors

Waiting periods:

• No waiting: 17 states

• Under 60 days: 20 states

• 60-180 days: 10 states

• Over 180 days: 3 states

→ See your state's specific divorce timeline

Step 3: Know Your Costs

Divorce costs vary dramatically by state and county:

Filing fees by state:

• Lowest: $70 (Mississippi)

• Highest: $450 (California in some counties)

• National average: $200-$300

Total divorce costs:

• DIY/online service: $1,000-$2,000

• Uncontested with attorney: $2,000-$6,000

• Contested with attorney: $10,000-$50,000+

The determining factor: Whether you and your spouse agree on terms.

→ Calculate divorce costs in your state

Step 4: Choose Your Divorce Method

Option 1: Online Divorce Service

• Best for: Uncontested cases where both agree

• Cost: $500-$2,000 plus filing fees

• Timeline: 2-4 months in most states

• Requirements: Must meet state residency requirements

Option 2: Hire an Attorney

• Best for: Contested cases, complex assets, custody disputes

• Cost: $2,000-$50,000+

• Timeline: 6-18 months typically

• When needed: Spouse contests, significant assets, abuse/safety concerns

Option 3: Mediation

• Best for: Couples who want to work together

• Cost: $3,000-$8,000 typically

• Timeline: 3-6 months

• Benefit: Less adversarial than litigation

→ Explore online divorce options in your state

Common Questions About US Divorce

How long does divorce take in the US?

Depends entirely on your state and situation:

• Fastest possible: 6-8 weeks (uncontested, no waiting period, fast court)

• Typical uncontested: 2-4 months

• Typical contested: 8-18 months

• High-conflict with trial: 18-36 months

The #1 factor: Whether you and your spouse agree on all terms.

Can I get divorced without a lawyer?

Yes, all 50 states allow self-representation. Online divorce services help you prepare paperwork for $500-$2,000 instead of $5,000-$30,000 for an attorney.

Good candidates for DIY/online divorce:

• Both spouses agree on all terms

• No complex assets or businesses

• No contested child custody

• Willing to handle paperwork

Should hire an attorney if:

• Spouse has an attorney

• Significant assets or debts

• Business ownership

• Contested custody

• History of domestic violence

What if my spouse lives in another state?

You can file in your state of residence as long as you meet the residency requirement. Your spouse doesn't need to live in the same state—they just need to be properly served according to your state's laws.

Do I have to go to court?

Depends on your state and case:

• Some states require final hearing for all divorces

• Some states waive hearings for uncontested cases

• Some states allow remote/Zoom hearings

• Contested cases typically require court appearances

Check your specific state's requirements.

What about children?

Divorces involving children require additional steps:

• Parenting plan/custody agreement

• Child support calculations

• Some states require parenting classes

• Best interests of child standard applies

The good news: Even with children, uncontested divorces are possible if you agree on custody and support.

→ Child custody laws in your state

Why Global Divorce Statistics Don't Tell Your Story

Here's the truth: Whether the divorce rate in your state is 1.5 or 4.2 per 1,000 people doesn't matter if YOUR marriage is ending.

What matters:

• ✅ Understanding your state's specific laws

• ✅ Knowing your filing requirements and costs

• ✅ Choosing the right divorce method for your situation

• ✅ Protecting your rights and interests

• ✅ Moving forward with clarity and confidence

The US divorce system is well-established. Every state has clear procedures. Millions of people successfully navigate divorce each year. You can too.

Next Steps: Start Your Divorce Process

Now that you understand global divorce context, here's what actually matters for YOUR divorce:

1. Find Your State's Requirements

Every state is different. Start here:

→ Browse all 50 state divorce guides

Popular states:

• California Divorce Guide

• Texas Divorce Guide

• Florida Divorce Guide

• New York Divorce Guide

• Ohio Divorce Guide

2. Understand Your Costs

See what divorce actually costs in your state:

→ State-by-state divorce costs

3. Explore Your County Options

In the US, you file in your county, not just your state:

→ Find your county's divorce requirements

4. Get Your Questions Answered

Have specific questions about divorce in your state?

→ 50 Most Common Divorce Questions Answered

5. Consider Online Divorce

For uncontested cases, online divorce can save thousands:

→ Online divorce options in your state

The Bottom Line

Global divorce statistics: Interesting data for researchers and academics

Your state's divorce laws: Critical information that affects your actual divorce

While it's fascinating that the Maldives has a 10.97 divorce rate and Guatemala has a 0.4 rate, if you're ending a marriage in the United States, what you need is:

✅ Your state's residency requirements ✅ Your county's filing fees and procedures ✅ Your timeline based on state waiting periods ✅ Your costs based on contested vs. uncontested ✅ Your rights under your state's property and custody laws

Stop researching global statistics. Start understanding your state's specific divorce process.

→ Find your state's complete divorce guide and get the information that actually matters for YOUR divorce.

About This Guide

This guide provides global divorce rate statistics for reference while focusing on what matters most for US residents: understanding your state's specific divorce laws and requirements.

Last Updated: February 2026

Next Steps: Select your state from our complete guide to get detailed information about filing requirements, costs, timelines, and procedures specific to where you live.