Recent data indicate that marriages ending in divorce are lasting longer than at any point since records began, reflecting a shift in how couples approach the dissolution of their unions. The median duration of marriages before divorce in England and Wales reached 13 years in 2025, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This marks a notable increase from 8.9 years in 1985 and parallels trends observed in other Western countries.
Individuals who have experienced divorce in later stages of marriage often describe an extended period of emotional and practical preparation before formally ending their relationships. One case is Celia, an AI analyst, who took two years after recognizing her marriage was no longer viable to initiate divorce proceedings. She highlighted concerns about financial stability, particularly for women with children, as a key motivation to delay finalization until she could secure her career prospects.
Experts attribute this trend to multiple factors, including the increasing financial complexity couples face when dividing shared assets. Professor Emma Hitchings of the University of Bristol explained that while the introduction of no-fault divorce has simplified the legal process, disentangling intertwined finances remains a challenging and costly endeavor. Cuts to legal aid and increased childcare and tax costs further complicate the separation process, incentivizing couples to remain married longer while planning their next steps.
The ONS data also reveal a decline in the proportion of couples divorcing within the first decade of marriage. Among those marrying in 2015, an estimated 16.3% had divorced by their tenth anniversary, compared to 24.7% of those who married in 1995. Similar patterns are evident internationally; in the United States, the median length of marriages ending in divorce increased from 10 years in 2008 to 12 years in 2023, while Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium report comparable median durations ranging from 12 to nearly 15 years.
Although the introduction of no-fault divorce in England and Wales in 2022 was expected to facilitate faster separations, there has been no corresponding surge in divorces. Legal scholars suggest that the option to separate without assigning blame may reduce the urgency to finalize divorces immediately, allowing couples more time to navigate their separation privately.
Additional influences include disruptions to family court operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 implementation of a mandatory 20-week waiting period between the start of divorce proceedings and application for a final order, both of which may have extended timelines. Sociological insights point to broader societal uncertainty—economic and social—that discourages couples from hastily breaking up, particularly when children are involved, with marriage often serving as a perceived source of stability.
Same-sex marriages show different patterns. Median durations before divorce are shorter—7.5 years for male couples and 6.6 years for female couples in 2025—but these figures are still evolving given the relatively recent legalization of same-sex marriage in England and Wales in 2014. Researchers suggest that the symbolic significance of marriage equality within the LGBT community may contribute to a heightened reluctance to divorce.
Demographers also emphasize that changing social norms regarding cohabitation may be influencing these trends. With over 90% of couples in Britain cohabiting before marriage, some experts argue that marriage is becoming a more selective institution, often entered into by couples with stronger relational foundations, which could support longer-lasting marriages.
The ONS cautions that no single explanation can fully account for the increase in marriage length before divorce, emphasizing the interplay of various social, legal, and economic factors that shape contemporary family dynamics.