Current Covid Divorce Stats

Why Divorce Rates Are Plummeting in the U.S.

By: Sydney Richter

Initially, lockdown caused a huge spike in separation rates in the U.S. in 2020. The number of people seeking divorce peaked on April 13, which increased 57% from February 13, 2020. Occurring two to three weeks after most states implemented lockdown and quarantine mandates, this was likely out of stress and uncertainty of what the future may hold.

In Europe and across the world, divorce applications also skyrocketed. The UK, Sweden, and Italy experienced a major increase in break-ups, due to the surge in mental health issues related to the pandemic. Additionally, Brazil showed a record number of divorces at the end of 2020. The country recorded almost 44,000 divorces in the final six months of 2020, up by 15% compared to 2019. The pandemic has caused people to not only postpone their weddings but also has forced flawed couples to spend more time together to resolve their issues. In Turkey, marriages decreased by 10%, in addition to a 14% decrease in divorces.

Quarantine mandates demanded that couples increase their time spent together, which catalyzed divorce in couples already experiencing difficulties. Rather than creating the problems, the pandemic highlighted and exacerbated existing issues in relationships. Strong couples were also susceptible for break-ups, with shifts instability and household dynamics creating problems and trapping couples in dysfunctional situations. One notable trend is a substantial rise in the number of women initiating divorces since a disproportionate amount of housework and childcare has become the responsibility of women.

Financial struggles related to Covid-19 also contributed to break-ups, as unemployment rates across the globe skyrocketed. Money problems are already a significant cause of divorce, and Covid-19 related unemployment magnified the impact of money on couples. The pandemic has disproportionately affected marginalized groups, such as women, young people, and ethnic minorities, who tend to work in low-income industries of hospitality, retail, and tourism.

Divorces skyrocketed in China during the initial stages of the pandemic, causing predictions of the rest of the world to follow this trend. However, filing for divorce is not practical for most couples for a variety of reasons. When schools and daycare centers are closed, custody decisions become much more complicated. Many spouses faced unemployment and uncertainty about their jobs, complicating financial agreements. Making decisions during these unprecedented times was not a wise choice for many couples.

While early signs point to the pandemic accelerating divorces due to stress and uncertainty, new reports reveal that it has actually brought many couples closer together. According to the American Family Survey, 58% of married Americans said the pandemic has deepened their bond with their spouse. As a result, there has been a decrease in divorce filings, which is expected to continue.

Many couples are staying married for fear of change (not to mention the cost of divorce). Many professionals have advised to wait and see what can be resolved without going to court and to seek legal help to resolve remaining issues on a less adversarial and less expensive level.