Source: Office for National Statistics: Vital statistics in the UK: births, deaths and marriages
Notes:
- The chart shows the number of divorces in England and Wales of opposite-sex couples between 1930 and 2014, and the combined number of divorces for both opposite- and same-sex couples between 2015 and 2019.
- Divorce statistics do not include married couples who separate, but do not divorce.
- The first divorces of same-sex couples were recorded in 2015.
- Divorce statistics are derived from information recorded by the courts, during the divorce process. Figures represent both divorces and annulments that took place in each country; A marriage is dissolved, following a petition for divorce and the granting of a decree absolute, or annulled, following a petition for nullity and the awarding of a decree of nullity. Figures represent the date the decree absolute or the decree of nullity was awarded.
| Key dates | |
|---|---|
| 1937 | Matrimonial Causes Act Divorce was permitted on additional grounds. |
| 1939 - 1945 | Second World War |
| 1969 | Divorce Reform Act Removed the need to prove 'fault' in order to end a marriage. |
| 1973 | Matrimonial Causes Act Divorce could be obtained through civil proceedings. |
| 1984 | Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act Set a minimum time interval between marriage and divorce to one year, down from three years. |
| 2000 | White v. White A landmark case in the distribution of finances after divorce. |
