The number of couples divorcing in Britain has risen for the first time in almost a decade, with some experts blaming the recent recession for the rise.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show there were 119,589 divorces in England and Wales during 2010, an increase of 5 per cent on the previous year.
One in three marriages now breaks down by the 15th anniversary, compared with a fifth in 1970, with more men and women in their early forties splitting up than in other age groups, according to the new figures.
The average British marriage now lasts 11.4 years.
Half of the spouses had children under 16, while the proportion of divorcing men and women who have had previous failed marriages has doubled since 1980.
The increase in the number of divorces, the first since 2003, follows years of decline as more and more couples have chosen to live together rather than getting married.
Previously, commentators had suggested that the recent decline in divorce to the fact couples could not afford to split up in tough economic times, the Daily Telegraph reports.
But some have suggested that arguments between spouses over money and job prospects would have risen during the recent recession, leading to separation and eventual divorce last year.
The ONS said in its statistical bulletin, “The small rise in the divorce rate and the number of divorces in 2010 could be associated with the economic climate following the 2008-09 recession.
“One theory suggests that recession could contribute to a rise in partnership break-ups because of increased financial strain, changes and employment and related lifestyle changes. In addition, some individuals may believe they will get a more favourable settlement if their income is currently low. In contrast, an alternative theory suggests that partnerships would be less likely to dissolve in an unfavourable economic climate since couples would be less able to end the partnership for financial reasons – these may include the cost of lawyers, negative equity in housing or not being able to afford to maintain two households following divorce.”
Divorce rates also rose in 1993 following the 1990-92 recession, suggesting that there is a “delayed impact” of tough economic times as couples either go through separation before being granted a decree absolute, or wait until their finances have improved.
John Loughton, Head of Public Policy at Relate, the marriage guidance charity, said: “It's no surprise that the divorce rate is rising given the pressures that couples and families are under. In fact we are seeing more people than ever coming to Relate because of money worries.”
Nigel Shepherd, partner at the law firm Mills & Reeve, said, “Although this increase is surprising after a continued decrease in divorce over the previous six years, it shows that, as the economic outlook started to look better following the 2008 financial crisis, people grew in confidence and concerns over the financial consequences of a divorce briefly lifted. Of course, the latest economic gloom won’t have hit the statistics yet and experience as a practitioner suggests that the clear overall trend is still one of a decrease in the number of divorces.”
Although some two million couples now cohabit rather than marry, the Government recently abandoned plans to give them improved legal rights should they split up.