Divorce rate falls

Official statistics have revealed that the number of couples divorcing in 2011 has fallen 1.7% from the previous year.

Commenting on the figures Ruth sutherland, chief executive of Relate, said Nearly half of Relate counsellors are seeing an increase in couples having to live together because they simply cant afford to break up.  Also, recent Census data revealed that cohabiting couples have increased 30% in the last ten years, a jump from 1.8 million in 2001 to 2.3 million in 2011.

117,558 divorces were recorded during 2011.  42% of marriages now end in divorce, compared with 45% in 2005, although the number of marriages per year is at a record low.  Those aged between 40 and 44 are the most likely to get divorced.

source: The Times