25 Divorce Statistics and What They Mean for You as a Woman

in Contemplating Divorce, Getting a Divorce / by Alexa Valenzisi

No one wants to be connected to divorce statistics.

Yet, here we are, seeking to get educated so we avoid some divorce statistics over others.

We might feel alone in this “education” about divorce. But the fact is so many other women across the country and globe have gone through divorce, survived it, and moved on to find themselves in healthier lives that we’ve decided to investigate the numbers behind this damn, challenging life change. As we explore some US trends, facts, and divorce statistics that impact women like you, we hope to lessen your sense of isolation and a feeling that you might be particularly “crazy.”

National Trends and General Facts of Divorce Statistics

Here are some fast facts, trends, and statistics related to divorce by state, country, and the world at large.

1. More women in the U.S. file for divorce than men.¹2. The United States has the 9th highest divorce rate in the world. The Maldives has the highest divorce rate, while Sri Lanka has the lowest divorce rate.²3. However (and despite what you might have heard), the number of divorces has actually DECREASED in the United States in recent years.³4. Annulments have also decreased in the country.⁴5. In 2022, Arkansas had the highest divorce rate of 10.7%.⁵6. In contrast, Maine and the District of Columbia had the lowest divorce rates, both at 4.8%.⁶7. There has been a 2% decrease over the past decade as to the percentage of adults who live with a spouse. In 2011, it was 52%. It went down to 50% in 2021.⁷8. The average age of a divorced woman is 45.5.⁸

If you are older than 45.5 (like a lot of us), you’ll want to read more about women like you: “What Does a Gray Divorce Mean for You?”

9. The median cost of a divorce is $7500.00⁹

Parents and Divorce

A huge part of divorce is the effect it has on your family, specifically, your children. Here are some facts and numbers related to children, parents, and families in divorce.

10. There are 9.68 million single, female parents.¹⁰11. Over 50% of all custodial parents have support agreements. Support agreements are more commonly known as “child support.” Child support is a monthly payment given to the parent who the child resides with the most. During your divorce, you can either settle on your child support number with your Ex, with or without the help of an attorney, or the judge can determine the appropriate amount.¹¹

Check out SAS’ “Child Support: 5 Things to Mothers Must Know.”

12. Furthermore, there are 3.392 million single mothers who are divorced and 5.239 million single mothers raising one child.¹²
13. There are 475,000 single mothers raising four or more children.¹³
14. In 21.5% of unmarried couples, the woman earns at least $5,000 more per year than their Ex.¹⁴15. 24.1% of divorcees live with children under 18.¹⁵
16. One in four parents are unmarried.¹⁶

Women and Divorce

Are you finding yourself inside these divorce statistics? If not, keep reading. Below are facts specifically related to women dealing with divorce.

17. 22% of women have been divorced.The number of women currently living in the United State is 168.63 million as of 2o2o.¹⁷ This means that approximately 37,098,600 women are divorced in the United States today.
18. 11% of women are currently divorced and not remarried in the United States.¹⁸ This means that approximately 18,549,300 women are not remarried in the United States today.

If you are dealing with divorce and doing more than a cursory read of these divorce statistics, you’ll want to read and prepare for “How to Overcome the 6 Hardest Things About Life After Divorce.”

19. A little less than half of first marriages end in divorce.¹⁹

20. About 3 out of 4 divorced persons will remarry.²⁰
21. Women with a 4-year college degree or higher have an 80% chance of being married for more than 20 years.²¹
22. That being said, college educated women initiate their divorce 90% of the time.²²
23. In 2018, more than 1 million women went through a divorce in the US.²³
24. Women’s household income falls by 41% after a divorce.²⁴

However, the most important divorce statistic is below:

25. Research has found that women are happier and more satisfied with their life post-divorce.²⁵

This fact alone suggests that while your divorce journey may be difficult, there is a light calling from the end of the tunnel. There are other women waiting for you. Indeed, so many women have succeeded in moving through divorce and arriving to the other side to find themselves in a happier place that you must grab hold of this particular statistic. And check out “Divorce and Women: One Woman’s Journey” to feel inspired.

Conclusion

This article provides statistics related to divorce across the United States with a particular focus on women and how divorce impacts them. With divorce being a full-blown life crisis, we know it impacts all aspects of our life (our families, our finances, our social connections, our emotions, our futures, and who we are as individuals). While these statistics tell only part of the story, they do remind us that there are other women who have gone through what you are going through; there are other women who have survived. Yes, it takes courage and guts, and it may be something you would never wish on anyone else. But the numbers tell you that you are not alone. It is do-able, and more women than men express no regret with having faced divorce. More women than men feel they are better off now than spending every day leading half a life.

Hang in there. You don’t have to do this alone, now or later. Learn from others. Get support with a female-centered, divorce support group or divorce coach so you stop spinning, get clarity, and take control of your precious life.

NOTES

Alexa Valenzisi is a 3L student in Chicago who is committed to child law and education law. She aims to work in education law or family law after graduation.

Whether you are thinking about divorce, dealing with it, or recreating the life you deserve, one thing we see making a significant difference for women is the conscious choice to not do it alone. Since 2012, smart women around the world have chosen SAS for Women to partner them through the emotional, financial, and oftentimes complicated experience of breaking up and reinventing.

SAS offers all women six free months of email coaching, action plans, checklists, and support strategies for you — and your precious future. Join our tribe and stay connected.

*We support same-sex marriages. For the sake of simplicity in this article, however, we refer to your spouse as your “husband” or a “he.”

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25 Divorce Statistics and What They Mean for You as a Woman