Unhappy couples staying put due to cost of living crisis, say divorce lawyers
News Source
β’Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:46:17 GMT
π° What Happened
New figures show marriages in England and Wales are lasting longer before they end. The average marriage ending in divorce in 2025 lasted 13 years, the longest since records began in 1963.
There were 105,002 divorces in 2025. That includes 102,879 opposite-sex couples and 2,123 same-sex couples, the highest same-sex figure since such marriages began in 2014.
Divorce lawyers say money worries are keeping unhappy couples together. Running two homes is costly, and rent, mortgages and childcare have all risen.
π The Backstory
Divorces peaked at about 150,000 a year in the 1980s to early 2000s. Rates are lower now and have been steady for a few years.
Some couples split but still live under one roof to share costs. Lawyers say this can make home life more tense, which is bad for everyone, especially children.
One lawyer warned that financial abuse can trap people in bad marriages. Another said couples now try mediation or counselling first because a full divorce feels too expensive.
π― Why It Matters
Staying in a hostile home can harm adults and children. These figures show how rising living costs shape big personal choices, not just household budgets.
New figures show marriages in England and Wales are lasting longer before they end. The average marriage ending in divorce in 2025 lasted 13 years, the longest since records began in 1963.
There were 105,002 divorces in 2025. That includes 102,879 opposite-sex couples and 2,123 same-sex couples, the highest same-sex figure since such marriages began in 2014.
Divorce lawyers say money worries are keeping unhappy couples together. Running two homes is costly, and rent, mortgages and childcare have all risen.
Divorces peaked at about 150,000 a year in the 1980s to early 2000s. Rates are lower now and have been steady for a few years.
Some couples split but still live under one roof to share costs. Lawyers say this can make home life more tense, which is bad for everyone, especially children.
One lawyer warned that financial abuse can trap people in bad marriages. Another said couples now try mediation or counselling first because a full divorce feels too expensive.
Staying in a hostile home can harm adults and children. These figures show how rising living costs shape big personal choices, not just household budgets.