The societal acceptance of divorce has undergone profound changes in the past century. While we witnessed a plateau in the number of divorce cases within Western societies, there has also been a gradual increase in Third World countries. The sudden shift in trends has come about due to the evolution of social norms, cultural acceptances, and legal accessibility.
However, while the change is gradual, it is important to assess and understand these global patterns as they develop, as it sheds light on the effects of urbanization and shifting gender roles on modern family law and marital trends.
How Societal and Economic Factors Influence Divorce Rates
Countries with higher urbanization and greater female participation in the workforce, or where women have financial independence, tend to show higher divorce rates. A prime example is Liechtenstein, which has the highest divorce rate in the world at around 4.9 per 1,000 people. This is largely due to the nation’s affluence, which allows individuals—particularly women—to leave unhappy marriages without economic hardship. The relatively straightforward legal process for divorce under family law also contributes to this high rate.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is India, which has one of the lowest recorded divorce rates at approximately 0.01 per 1,000 people. Given India’s enormous population of 1.46 billion (as of 2025), this number seems strikingly low. However, these statistics can be misleading. In South Asian communities, social stigma and economic dependence often pressure women to remain in marriages, especially within larger family units.
Additionally, limited access to family law services and societal discouragement of formal divorce lead many couples—particularly in rural or remote areas—to separate informally. These informal separations are not reflected in official statistics, meaning the real-life divorce rate may be higher than the numbers suggest.
These contrasts highlight the strong influence of societal norms and economic factors on divorce rates. Despite modernization, some countries still make divorce virtually impossible. Vatican City and the Philippines, for example, have strict restrictions due to deeply rooted Catholic beliefs and traditions, which make divorce illegal for most citizens. This underscores the persistent impact of religion and cultural beliefs on family law worldwide.
Common Drivers of Divorce Worldwide
Aside from the factors stated above, research has found five common drivers of divorce to be conclusive despite geo-location. These include too much conflict and incessant arguing; lack of commitment; infidelity / extramarital affairs, lack of emotional and/or physical intimacy, and communication problems between partners. These problems are not limited by borders; they affect families in both highly urbanized and traditional societies alike, impacting marital law considerations in multiple countries.
Countries with Quick and Easy Divorce Procedures
Conversely, a number of Countries offer quick divorces for their residents, such as the Netherlands, where the average length of a divorce procedure is approximately 35 days. South Korea allows a mutual consent divorce to be finalized in about a month while in Japan, a mutual consent divorce is a simple registration procedure at a ward office that can be completed very quickly.
In the United Arab Emirates, Non-Muslim expatriates can obtain a no-fault divorce just within a few weeks. This goes to show that legal reformations and frameworks may also significantly increase the speed and ease of marriage dissolution, whereas there are countries that still stick to archaic methods.
Oftentimes, certain “trailblazing” divorces make the headlines and become subject to either public admiration or scrutiny. One of the biggest and widely publicized divorce settlements in history is often cited to be MacKenzie Scott’s $38 billion+ settlement from Jeff Bezos in 2019, showcasing the financial complexities that go behind executing a formal divorce.
Conclusion – Understanding Global Divorce Patterns
Taken together, these trends and patterns reflect the multifaceted nature of marriage and divorce in Family law. It appears that even though globalization has been at it’s peak, it’s effects on Family matters across the globe still remain staggered. Although there has been movement and change, it is quite gradual and far from imminent.
If you’re seeking guidance on any aspect of Family Law in the UAE and have another jurisdictional connection, our experienced team can provide expert advice tailored to your situation. For further advice regarding divorce, marital disputes, or other family law matters, please contact our family law department on [email protected] or Dee Popat on [email protected]
Head of Family Law / Senior Consultant