Divorce rates have fluctuated over the years, reflecting changes in societal norms and economic conditions. The latest numbers reveal some very clear trends about marriage and divorce in the U.S.

There are fewer divorces these days, but there are also fewer marriages. Looking back to the year 2000, there were 2,315,000 marriages nationwide, including 93,328 in Pennsylvania. As of 2023—the latest year for which data is available—there were “just” 2,041,926 marriages nationwide with 69,288 of those in Pennsylvania.

Of the roughly 2 million marriages, divorces came at a rate of 2.5 per 1,000 people. That puts the most current divorce statistic at 672,502. In Pennsylvania, there were 28,009 divorces, at a rate of 2.2 per 1,000 people—so just under the national average.

In fact, divorce rates have been declining, according to a report by Forbes magazine. Over the past 23 years, the rate has dropped from 4 to 2.4 divorces per 1,000 people. That’s a move from 944,000 to 673,989 in 2022, the last year for which data was available.

Fewer people are remarrying after divorce, too. In 2008, men remarried at the rate of 48.9 and women at the rate of 25.2 per thousand. Those numbers fell to 32 and 17.2 respectively. Interestingly, 6% of couples get remarried to each other.

How many marriages end in divorce? For first marriages, it’s less than half at 43%. It’s higher for second (60%) and third (73%) marriages. Having friends who are divorced increases your risk of divorce by 75%. Couples who live together before marriage have a 34% chance of divorcing versus just 22% for those who waited until after marriage. This may speak to stronger religious beliefs for couples who are less likely to divorce.

The most common reasons for divorce are lack of commitment, infidelity, and in 24% of cases, domestic abuse. Often there is not just one reason for ending a marriage, but there may be one final straw. Incompatibility and money issues are cited as reasons for divorce, with 58% of couples reporting arguments and conflict, 45% saying they married too young, and 38% indicating financial problems. More than 70% of couples say that they didn’t understand the realities of marriage and were unable to cope.

The average ages for divorce according to the Forbes report were 44 for women and 46 for men, and 69% of all divorces were initiated by women. While children can place a strain on a marriage, having more children did not increase the risk of divorce, noted the report. However, gender and age both played a role. Women over 50 experienced a 45% decline in their living standards following divorce while men of the same age range experienced just a 21% decline.

If you are facing a divorce, or have questions about alimony, spousal or child support, or custody issues involving children or even pets, it’s important to arm yourself with informed, experienced and winning representation. Williams Family Law is the largest family law firm in Bucks County. Contact us at 215-340-2207 or email info@bucksfamilylawyers.com.