10 Surprising Facts About Divorce Around the World (2023)

Divorce is a common phenomenon in many countries around the world. However, divorce rates, laws, and trends vary significantly from one country to another. In this article, we will explore 10 surprising facts about divorce around the world that you may not know.

1. The United States has the 10th highest divorce rate worldwide

According to the United Nations data for 20181, the United States ranks 10th among 201 countries in terms of divorce rate. The divorce rate in the US is 53%, which means that more than half of all marriages end in divorce. The US is also one of the few countries where divorce rates have increased since 1990.

2. India has the world's lowest divorce rate

On the other end of the spectrum, India has the world's lowest divorce rate, at only 1%. This means that only one out of every 100 marriages ends in divorce. India's low divorce rate can be attributed to various factors, such as cultural and religious values, social stigma, lack of legal awareness, and economic dependence of women.

3. Australia's Aboriginal women may divorce instantly

In Australia, the general law requires couples to be separated for at least one year before they can file for divorce. However, this does not apply to Aboriginal women who follow their traditional customs. According to their customary law, an Aboriginal woman can divorce her husband instantly by throwing water over him or his belongings. This act symbolizes the washing away of their marital bond.

4. Only Muslims may divorce in the Philippines

The Philippines is the only country in the world, besides Vatican City, where divorce is illegal for most citizens. The only exception is for Muslims, who are allowed to divorce under their own laws. Non-Muslim Filipinos who want to end their marriage have to resort to annulment or legal separation, which are costly and time-consuming processes.

5. In Japan, certain divorce laws are different for women than for men

In Japan, there are different rules for women and men when it comes to divorce. For example, a woman who wants to remarry after a divorce has to wait six months from the date of her divorce decree, while a man can remarry immediately. This law is meant to prevent confusion over paternity issues. Another example is that a woman can claim alimony from her ex-husband only if she has custody of their children or if she is unable to work due to illness or old age.

6. Chile's divorce laws are among the world's toughest

Chile was one of the last countries in the world to legalize divorce, in 2004. Even then, its divorce laws are among the world's toughest. To get a divorce in Chile, couples have to prove one of five grounds: adultery, abuse, abandonment, alcoholism or drug addiction, or mutual consent with at least one year of separation. In addition, couples have to go through a mandatory mediation process before they can file for divorce.

7. You can't get a divorce in Vatican City

Vatican City is the only country in the world where divorce is completely banned. This is because Vatican City follows the Catholic doctrine that marriage is a sacred and indissoluble union. The only way to end a marriage in Vatican City is through annulment, which means that the marriage was invalid from the start due to some defect or impediment.

8. Malta divorces take four years to complete

Malta was another latecomer to legalizing divorce, in 2011. However, its divorce laws are still very strict and lengthy. To get a divorce in Malta, couples have to prove that they have been living apart for at least four years out of the previous five years before filing for divorce. They also have to undergo counseling and mediation sessions before they can proceed with their case.

9. China has a "cooling-off" period for divorces

China has one of the highest divorce rates in Asia, with more than four million divorces registered in 2019. To curb this trend, China introduced a new law in 2021 that requires couples who want to get a divorce by mutual consent to undergo a "cooling-off" period of 30 days before they can finalize their decision. During this period, either spouse can withdraw their consent and cancel the divorce application. This law is intended to prevent impulsive divorces and encourage family stability.

10. France has a "divorce by mutual consent" option

France has a relatively simple and fast option for couples who want to get a divorce by mutual consent. Since 2017, couples who agree on all aspects of their divorce, such as child custody, financial support, and property division, can get a divorce without going to court. They only need to sign a contract with the help of their lawyers and register it with a notary. The whole process can take as little as one month.

Conclusion

Divorce is a complex and personal matter that affects millions of people around the world. However, divorce laws and trends are not the same everywhere. Different countries have different rules and regulations regarding divorce, as well as different social and cultural attitudes towards it. These facts show some of the diversity and uniqueness of divorce around the world.