The average length of marriages ending in divorce in England and Wales reached a record high of 13 years in 2025, according to Office of National Statistics figures released on Wednesday. Lawyers have attributed this trend to the cost of living crisis, which is making it financially unviable for unhappy couples to separate and establish two independent households. This represents a significant departure from 1985, when the average duration was just 8.9 years, suggesting couples are delaying divorce due to financial pressures rather than improved relationship outcomes.

There were 105,002 divorces in England and Wales in 2025, comprising 102,879 opposite-sex couples and 2,123 same-sex couples, with the latter representing the highest figure since same-sex marriage was legalised in 2014. Whilst overall divorce numbers remain lower than the 1980s-2000s peak of 150,000 annually, family lawyers report that separated couples are increasingly continuing to live under the same roof to share expenses and preserve shared assets. Rising inflation affecting rent, mortgages, and childcare costs has been identified as a key driver, with divorce specialists noting growing financial abuse within relationships that prevents individuals from taking steps to end their marriages due to concerns about financial independence.