The Office for National Statistics has been making the headlines recently with the release of new figures showing that the divorce rate has hit its lowest level since 1981. In 2006 there were 12.2 divorces per thousand married couples which fell in 2007 to 11.9 per thousand couples after an average of 11 and a half years of marriage.

Generally divorce rates fell right across every age demographic with the exception of men and women aged 60 and over and for women aged between 45 and 49. Many commentators have pointed to a possible prevalent view in society that younger couples no longer see divorce as an easy way out of a difficult situation but for the sixth year in a row, men and women in their late 20s had the highest divorce rate across the range. There certainly seems to be a trend for couples marrying young and then divorcing as they approach their 30s approaching the dissolution of a marriage with the same level of reverence that they might have for the end of a long-term relationship without marriage. These kinds of divorce can be among the most straightforward. There are often no children and a small matrimonial asset pot, which can be divided quickly by agreement.

The recent spate of high-profile, high net-worth divorce cases has been credited as being one reason for the decline in the divorce rate. These cases have demonstrated the potential cost of divorcing to couples contemplating separation while at the same time acting as a deterrent for those considering having their union formally recognised.
 

It is also fair to say that the statistics are affected by the fact that many couples are cohabiting instead of ever marrying. The judiciary has in the past been slow to recognise this trend but signs indicate that the legal system is slowly but surely prepared to progressively afford more of the rights to cohabiting couples that are currently enjoyed by their married counterparts.