Divorce in England and Wales – what the latest ONS data shows

Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics give a clear picture of divorce in England and Wales in 2023. The headline message is simple. Divorce levels have stabilised after the disruption caused by the pandemic and recent legal reform. The biggest change is not how many people divorce, but how they divorce. 

The key numbers at a glance 

In 2023, there were just over 103,000 divorces and civil partnership dissolutions. This figure includes around 102,700 divorces and just over 1,100 dissolutions of civil partnerships. 

These figures are broadly in line with pre-pandemic levels. The unusually low numbers seen in 2022 (80,057) were largely the result of changes to the law and delays while the new system bedded in. 

No-fault divorce is now the norm 

Around three quarters of divorces in 2023 took place under the no-fault divorce process. Since April 2022, couples divorcing in England & Wales no longer need to cite a reason for divorce other than that their marriage has irretrievably broken down. This system removes the need to blame one spouse for the breakdown of the marriage and introduces a minimum waiting period of 6 weeks and 1 day before a final order can be made. 

Since the introduction of the no fault divorce process, most divorces are still started by one person in a sole application rather than by both people in the marriage in a joint application. Around 73 percent of Final Orders in 2023 year followed a sole application for divorce. 

Kate Rayner, Head of Family, explains: ‘No-fault divorce is now firmly established. The process is calmer and more straightforward, which allows couples to focus on the practical decisions that really matter, such as finances and arrangements for children.’ 

Divorce rates are rising slightly but remain steady 

The divorce rate in 2023 was 8.6 per 1,000 married men and 8.5 per 1,000 married women. This represents an increase on the numbers reported for 2022, but confirms that the earlier drop seen in 2022 was unusual rather than a long-term trend. 

In practical terms, the figures suggest that divorce in England & Wales is neither surging nor declining sharply. Instead, it has returned to a steady level after a period of change. 

Many couples divorce later in marriage 

The data also shows that people are often divorcing after long relationships. For opposite-sex couples, the average length of marriage at divorce was nearly 13 years.

For same-sex couples, marriages tended to be shorter at the point of divorce, averaging around six to seven years. 

Kate Rayner comments: ‘Longer marriages often involve shared property, pensions and children. These cases need careful planning and early advice to help people move forward with financial security and stability.’ 

What these figures mean for families 

Statistics only tell part of the story. Behind the numbers are families dealing with major life changes. Many divorcing couples have children, and decisions about arrangements for children, schooling, housing and day-to-day care often sit alongside financial negotiations. 

The shift to no-fault divorce has helped reduce conflict, but it does not remove the need for clear advice and support. Ending a marriage still involves important legal and practical decisions, particularly around financial settlements. Even where separation is amicable, understanding your options early can help reduce uncertainty and avoid problems later on. 

When separating or divorcing, particularly where matters are complex, high value or international, common considerations often include: 

• Arrangements for children – including living arrangements, schooling, holidays and day-to-day care, especially where families live in more than one country. 
• Housing – whether the family home will be sold, retained or transferred, and how this feeds into longer-term stability for the family. 
• Financial settlements – covering income, savings, investments, debts and future financial needs, including higher-value or more complex asset structures 
• Pensions – often one of the most valuable assets, requiring careful consideration and specialist input. 
• Timing and planning – understanding when to take each step, particularly where jurisdiction, tax or relocation issues may arise. 
• Future security – ensuring agreements are fair, workable and legally binding across borders where relevant. 

As Kate Rayner notes, ‘No-fault divorce has made the process less adversarial, but it has not made it straightforward. Good advice helps people focus on practical arrangements that will shape their lives long after the divorce is finalised.’ 

Think about divorce or separation? 

If you are considering divorce, separation or future planning, early advice can help you understand your options, avoid common mistakes and make informed decisions from the outset. 

Our family law team advises individuals and families on all aspects of divorce, including arrangements for children, financial settlements and more complex high value or international matters. We focus on practical outcomes and supporting clients through what can be a challenging period. 

If you would like to speak to a family law specialist, you can arrange a confidential initial discussion to talk through your situation and next steps. 

Ellena Eley