A new study has shown that 22 percent of people marry expecting to divorce at some point in the future.
The reasons people gave for believing that their new or impending marriage might not last forever included that they “didn’t think it happened in today’s world” (44 per cent); the presence of “too many external influences”; and the fact that “feelings changed” (27 per cent).
The study, which was conducted by Vouchercloud, showed that almost half the doubters (48 percent) said they thought their partners probably didn’t agree with their pessimism, and would not have answered in the same way.
So had these people who expected divorce made any particular financial arrangements to protect themselves?
Not as many as you might think.
Only 40 percent of doubters said that the financial implications of a split were a major concern for them. Seventeen percent said they had kept their finances separate from their partner and only seven percent said they had signed a prenuptial agreement in case the relationship did end.
Some people may think that these doubters are being too pessimistic, however, the latest statistics show that they may actually just be being realistic. The latest figures show that 42 percent of marriages in England and Wales end in divorce.
What are the statistics of divorce?
The latest figures from the ONS on divorce were collected in 2012 and released last year. They show that:
- 42% of marriages in England and Wales end in divorce.
- 34% of marriages are expected to end in divorce by the 20th wedding anniversary.
- An additional 6% of marriages are expected to end by the 20th wedding anniversary because one of the spouses has died.
- Therefore 60% of marriages are expected to survive to the 20th anniversary.
- 16% of marriages reach the 60th wedding anniversary.
- The average marriage is expected to last for 32 years.
