Why Are Divorce Rates Rising Around the World?

 Posted on August 13, 2020 in Divorce

Over the past four decades, divorce rates around the world have more than doubled. If you are going through a divorce, this can be a comforting statistic: millions of people are experiencing the same struggles as you. The rise in divorce rates, despite the negative emotions it typically entails, has some positive outlooks as well. Higher divorce rates mean more people are escaping abusive relationships, more people believe they can find love again, and more people are pursuing the life that they want to live.

Cheng-Tong Lir Wang and Evan Schofer, two University of California at Irvine sociologists, compiled nearly four decades of divorce data from all around the world. Their goal was not merely to examine changes in divorce rates over time, but to try to understand what societal factors might cause divorce rate growth. Between 1970 and 2008, they discovered that the global divorce rate rose from 2.6 divorces for every 1,000 married people to 5.5 - the rate more than doubled. After analyzing the data, they found a few commonalities.

Social Causes for Increased Divorce Rates

The University of California study’s results suggested that the following societal attributes lead to greater divorce rates:

• Economic Development: A country’s gross national income per capita is a powerful indicator of that nation’s divorce rate. Wealthier countries have higher divorce rates than their poorer counterparts.

• Education: A country with a greater proportion of its population enrolled in secondary education and beyond typically has a higher divorce rate.

• Women In the Workforce: Countries with more women in the workforce have more divorces. This is likely a reflection of these women’s ability to financially sustain a life on their own.

• Religion’s Impact: The University of California sociologists also found that nations with greater proportions of Catholics or Muslims have lower divorce rates.

• International Organizations and Treaties: Although all the ideas above suggest that greater educational and financial independence in a society results in higher divorce rates, the authors also believe that nations that participate in international organizations have higher divorce rates because their citizens are more exposed to global norms.

Contact a DuPage County Divorce Attorney

As you go through a divorce, remember that you are not alone. Not only are many people around the world experiencing what you are, but a highly-capable DuPage County divorce attorney can help you navigate the legal intricacies of any separation. Regardless of the reason behind your divorce, Attorney Pesce is here to help. To schedule a free consultation with Pesce Law Group, P.C., call 630-352-2240.

Source:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-single/201902/divorce-rates-around-the-world-love-story