Divorce Statistics in 2024 – How Many Marriages End in Divorce?
It has been a long-held belief – or perhaps a rumor or myth, just waiting to be busted – that in the United States, and in Chicago, at least half of all marriages end in divorce. Indeed, this famous “street statistic” is one that many individuals and couples in Chicago have likely believed to be true, and may have even been willing to bet their marriage on. However, just like most things, the landscape of marriage and divorce in the United States, and in Chicago, is changing, and old statistics may not apply to modern times. But what is the landscape in 2024 when it comes to remarriages, annulments, and divorces, and where can individuals and couples turn for help with their complex marriage and divorce matters? We answer those questions here.
Do Half of All U.S. Marriages Really End in Divorce?
At the outset, it is important to address the “famous statistic” that “half of all marriages end in divorce.” According to Forbes, although it is pretty close, the truth of the matter is that less than half of marriages end in divorce in the United States in 2024. In 2024, 43% of marriages end in divorce or dissolution, which is almost a 10% difference from the “50% divorce rate” number commonly believed and accepted by many Chicagoans and Americans. In sum, divorce is actually a little less frequent than many people in Chicago and the United States believe. Indeed, divorce in the United States is actually declining, with 944,000 divorces occurring in the year 2000, and 673,989 divorces happening in 2022.
Remarriages and Divorce Rates in the United States
When it comes to a second or third marriage, however, divorce rates in the United States spike. According to Forbes, 67% of second marriages end in divorce or dissolution, and a whopping 73% of third marriages ultimately end with the couple splitting. Interestingly, most marriages are “first marriages” for both spouses, with only 40% of marriages being between partners where at least one person was married previously. On the other hand, only 20% of marriages occur between two people who have both been previously married.
Remarrying an Ex-Spouse after Divorcing: Does it Work?
Finally, another interesting statistic stands out when it comes to the marriage and divorce in the year 2024 sheds light on what happens when two individuals who were married, but then got divorced, get married again. According to Forbes, 6% of divorced couples ultimately remarry each other, and, perhaps hard to believe, a whopping 72% of those couples remain married after remarrying.
Where to Turn for Legal Help with Your Chicago Divorce
If you are in the Chicago area and you need legal help with your Chicago divorce, contact the experienced Chicago divorce lawyers at the law firm Arnoux Sharma & Standeford, LLC. The experienced Chicago divorce lawyers at Arnoux Sharma & Standeford, LLC are here to help individuals in Chicago with their complex Chicago divorce matters. Contact Arnoux Sharma & Standeford, LLC and speak to a lawyer about your case now.
Source:
forbes.com/advisor/legal/divorce/divorce-statistics/
