Divorce Trends and Insights in the US

New Trends and Insights on U.S. Divorces

You’ve probably heard that half of all marriages end in divorce. That adage isn’t exactly accurate anymore, and we at Divorce.com have done extensive research and data-gathering to explore precisely what is happening with divorce rates.

The data shows thought-provoking trends that explore how professions, age, background, education, income, and even elections, who is the primary breadwinner, and online divorce availability are changing how often, when, and how Americans are getting divorced.

Divorce Rates Are Down Overall

The big headline is that divorce rates are slowing. In 2023, 1.1 million divorces were filed, part of a trend in which divorces have decreased by 2.6% each year since 2012 (when 1.3 million divorces were filed).

COVID Impacted Marriage and Divorce Rates

Marriage rates in the U.S. have remained relatively stable, declining only about 1% a year since 2012; however, during the pandemic, marriage rates fell between 2019 and 2020 by 17%, reflecting the restricted activity and bans created by the pandemic.

More People Are Seeking Alternatives to Traditional Divorce

Growth in Pro Se Divorce

There has been a sharp increase in the number of people choosing to handle their divorce without an attorney and represent themselves (called pro se). Notable increases include:

• Missouri: 19% (2012) → 25% (2022)
• Georgia: 44% (2020) → 50% (2023)
• New Mexico: 83% (2021) → 92% (2022)
• Utah: 74% (2021) → 90% (2023)

Online Divorce Interest Rockets Up

Search volume for the term “online divorce” increased 7% in 2024, with 47 million online searches for divorce-related topics—the highest recorded search volume. Google predicts this trend will continue into 2025.

Interest in Divorce Is Influenced by Events and Seasons

Divorce Season

Searches for online divorce increase 29% between December and January each year, reflecting holiday stress and the decision to “get through one more holiday season” before filing.

Valentine’s Day Reprieve

Although January sees a peak in divorce searches, there is a 5% drop during Valentine’s Day week, only for searches to rebound the following week.

Election Day

Election years can impact divorce rates. In 2024, searches for online divorce spiked 18% in the week following Election Day.

Age is a Factor in Divorce Likelihood

Divorce rates vary significantly by age group. People ages 35 to 44 have the highest divorce rate (10.9 per 1,000), while those 18 to 24 have the lowest. However, gray divorce is on the rise, with divorces among those over 55 increasing.

Money Matters in Divorce

Household income is a strong predictor of divorce, with couples earning under $50,000 making up 32% of divorces in 2023, down from 50% in 2012. The divorce rate for single-income households is rising, while that for double-income households is falling.

Career Is a Crucial Divorce Factor

Some professions have significantly higher divorce rates. In 2023, the top five occupations with the highest number of divorces per 1,000 people were:

• Management (CEOs, administrators, managers): 19.7
• Military: 13.8
• Healthcare Support (home health aides, nurses): 12.3

Who Earns the Money Impacts Divorce

In 2023, only 16% of households had a female primary earner, yet over 42% of these marriages ended in divorce. This longstanding trend suggests financial dynamics contribute significantly to marital strain.

Latino Divorces Contradict the National Trend

While overall divorce rates are decreasing, Latino divorce rates increased by 3% between 2019 and 2023, with Spanish-speaking divorces surpassing non-Spanish-speaking divorces for the first time.

Conclusion

• Divorces are decreasing by 2.6% per year.
• Interest in online divorce and pro se representation is rising.
• Gray divorce is increasing.
• Low-income and single-income households are more likely to divorce.
• Marriages where the wife is the primary earner are more likely to end in divorce.

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