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Global Divorce Rates 2025: A Comprehensive Analysis

Global Divorce Rates 2025: A Comprehensive Analysis

알렉산더 로슨
by 
알렉산더 로슨, 
 소울매처
38 minutes read
설문 조사
8월 07, 2025

Introduction and Key Metrics

Divorce has become increasingly common worldwide over the past few decades, though trends vary greatly by country and region. Globally, the crude divorce rate (annual divorces per 1,000 people) roughly doubled from the 1970s to the 2000s. For example, in the European Union the divorce rate rose from about 0.8 per 1,000 people in 1964 to 2.0 per 1,000 in 2023, even as marriage rates fell by 50% over the same period. However, divorce patterns are far from uniform – they reflect each nation’s social norms, legal framework, and demographic trends. Two key ways to measure divorce are:

이러한 지표를 맥락에 맞게 해석하는 것이 중요합니다. 이혼율은 미혼 인구 비율이나 연령 구조에 따라 영향을 받을 수 있습니다. 이혼율은 평생 이혼 위험에 대한 대략적인 추정치로, 현재의 결혼 및 이혼 패턴이 일정하다고 가정하지만 실제 평생 이혼율은 시간에 따른 결혼 코호트를 추적하여 계산됩니다. 그럼에도 불구하고 이러한 지표를 종합하면 이혼 유병률에 대한 유용한 그림을 얻을 수 있습니다.

국가별 이혼 통계(최신 데이터)

아래 표에는 가장 최근 연도의 데이터, 조 이혼율, 조 혼인율, 이혼으로 끝나는 결혼의 추정 비율(이혼 대 혼인 비율) 등 신뢰할 수 있는 데이터가 있는 국가의 이혼율이 나와 있습니다. 이를 통해 이혼 유병률에 대한 국가별 분석을 제공합니다.

유럽

유럽은 세계에서 이혼율이 가장 높은 국가 중 하나입니다. 많은 유럽 및 구소련 국가들은 20세기 후반에 이혼이 급증했으며, 현재 결혼의 40~90%가 이혼으로 끝납니다. 반면 최근에야 이혼을 합법화하거나 정상화한 몇몇 유럽 국가에서는 이혼율이 훨씬 낮은 것으로 나타났습니다.

국가Data YearDivorces per 1,000 PeopleMarriages per 1,000 People% of Marriages Ending in Divorce
스페인20201.61.984.2% (world-high)
러시아20203.95.373.6%
우크라이나20202.94.170.9%
프랑스20161.93.751.3%
포르투갈20232.02.847%
스웨덴20182.55.050.0%
이탈리아20181.53.246.9%
독일20171.94.938.8%
영국 (E&W)20151.84.440.9%
폴란드20181.75.133.3%
루마니아20181.67.421.6%
아일랜드20170.74.615.2%
Malta20180.75.812.1%

Europe: Spain stand out with an estimated 90% of marriages ending in divorce, among the highest in the world. By contrast, traditionally Catholic countries that only recently allowed divorce (e.g. Malta (2011), Ireland (1996)) still have very low divorce rates (under 0.8 per 1,000) and only about 12–15% of marriages ending in divorce. Major Western European nations fall in between: e.g. about 50% of marriages in 프랑스 end in divorce, ~41% in the UK, and ~39% in 독일. The Nordic countries have around 45–50% of marriages ending in divorce (e.g. Sweden ~50%). Many Eastern European and post-Soviet states have high divorce prevalence: for example, 러시아 (74%) and 우크라이나 (71%). These countries saw divorce surges during and after the Soviet era. Meanwhile, a few Eastern European countries maintain lower rates (Romania ~22%, traditionally due to more conservative norms). Overall, Europe’s crude divorce rates mostly range from about 1 to 3 per 1,000, with a median around 1.5–2.5 per 1,000, but divorce-to-marriage percentages vary widely due to differing marriage rates. Part of the long-term increase in European divorces was driven by legal changes – divorce was legalized in Italy (1970), Spain (1981), Ireland (1996), and Malta (2011), contributing to rising divorce numbers in those countries over time.

북미

북미 역시 이혼율이 상대적으로 높은 편이지만, 최근 일부 지역에서는 감소 추세를 보이고 있습니다.

국가Data YearDivorces per 1,000 PeopleMarriages per 1,000% of Marriages Ending in Divorce
미국20202.35.145.1%
캐나다20082.14.447.7%
쿠바20102.95.255.8%
멕시코2020~1.0~5.5 (est.)~20% (est.)
칠레20090.73.321.2%
과테말라2019(very low)(high)~5% (est.)

North America: 그리고 미국 has long had one of the highest crude divorce rates among major countries (peaking near 5.0 in the early 1980s). In 2000 the U.S. rate was 4.0 per 1,000, but it has since fallen to 2.3 per 1,000 as of 2020. Today about 42–45% of U.S. marriages are estimated to end in divorce. Neighboring 캐나다 is similar with roughly 48% of marriages ending in divorce (as of ~2008). Within the Caribbean and Central America, 쿠바 has an exceptionally high divorce incidence – about 56% of marriages end in divorce, reflecting the historical ease of divorce there. In contrast, 멕시코’s crude divorce rate (~1.0) is quite low; due to strong family traditions, only an estimated 20–25% of Mexican marriages end in divorce (approximation based on recent data). Several Latin American countries historically had very low divorce rates (in some cases because divorce was banned or uncommon until recently). For instance, 칠레 only legalized divorce in 2004, and by 2009 still had a low rate (0.7 per 1,000, ~21% of marriages). Generally, divorce has been rising in Latin America in the 21st century, but cultural norms keep rates moderate – many countries in Central America (e.g. Guatemala, Honduras) report well under 1 divorce per 1,000 people, implying under 10% of marriages ending in legal divorce (though informal separations may be higher).

아시아

Asia exhibits the widest range of divorce rates, reflecting diverse cultures and laws. Some East Asian and Eurasian countries have among the highest divorce prevalence, while South Asia has the lowest.

국가Data YearDivorces per 1,000 PeopleMarriages per 1,000% of Marriages Ending in Divorce
중국20183.27.244.4%
대한민국20192.24.746.8%
일본20191.74.835.4%
이스라엘20091.86.527.7%
사우디 아라비아20202.15.637.5%
카자흐스탄20212.57.334.3%
터키20181.76.825.0%
베트남20150.45.77.0%
인도~20180.1~10~1% (lowest)
필리핀N/Adivorce illegal-0% (legal ban)

Asia: 몇 가지 East Asian countries have undergone rapid social change and now have high divorce rates. 대한민국’s divorce rate rose dramatically in the 1990s–2000s and by 2019 about 47% of marriages were ending in divorce. 중국’s divorce rate similarly climbed in the 2000s to about 3.2 per 1,000 (44% of marriages) by 2018, reflecting urbanization and easing of divorce procedures – in fact, the number of Chinese divorces increased every year for 16 years up to 2019. (A new “cooling-off” law in 2021 caused a sudden drop in China’s divorce filings, but it’s debated whether this will be lasting or simply delay divorces.) 일본 reached a peak divorce rate around 2002 and then declined; as of 2019 Japan’s rate is 1.7 per 1,000, with roughly 35% of marriages ending in divorce. In Southeast Asia, divorce rates tend to be moderate to low, partly due to religious and cultural norms. For example, 베트남 reports only 0.4 divorces per 1,000 and ~7% of marriages ending in divorce. 인도네시아 also has a low crude divorce rate (~1.2) despite a high Muslim population (Islam permits divorce but it remains infrequent in practice). South Asia has the lowest divorce incidence in the world – India’s crude divorce rate is only about 0.1 per 1,000only around 1% of Indian marriages end in legal divorce. This extremely low rate is attributed to strong social stigma against divorce, extended family pressures, and legal hurdles in India. Other South Asian and Middle Eastern countries also report very low divorce percentages (e.g. Sri Lanka ~0.15 per 1,000, a few percent of marriages). On the other hand, parts of the Middle East have 더 높은 divorce rates: for instance, 사우디 아라비아 그리고 카자흐스탄 (a Muslim-majority Central Asian country) both see 30–40% of marriages ending in divorce. In the Gulf states, divorce is relatively common – e.g. Kuwait was about 42% in 2010 – facilitated by permissive laws for men, though women face more barriers. Notably, 필리핀 (and the Vatican) stand out as the only countries where divorce is entirely illegal, resulting in essentially 0% of marriages legally ending in divorce (annulments are possible but rare). Such legal prohibitions keep the recorded divorce rate at zero, even if separations still occur.

아프리카

아프리카의 신뢰할 만한 이혼 통계는 드물지만, 이용 가능한 데이터에 따르면 일부 예외를 제외하고는 일반적으로 이혼율이 낮습니다. 아프리카의 많은 결혼은 관습적이거나 종교적인 경우가 많으며 공식적인 법적 제도 밖에서 해소될 수 있어 공식 이혼 건수가 낮습니다.

국가Data YearDivorces per 1,000 PeopleMarriages per 1,000% of Marriages Ending in Divorce
남아프리카 공화국20090.63.517.1%
이집트20212.4(est. ~9)~25% (est.)
Mauritius20101.48.217.1%
나이지리아~2016(very low)(high)(<5%) (est.)
모로코/알제리~2018~1–1.5~7–8~15–20% (est.)

Africa: In many African nations, the crude divorce rate is below 1 per 1,000, indicating relatively few formal divorces. For example, 남아프리카 공화국 – one of the better-documented cases – had only 0.6 divorces per 1,000 in 2009, corresponding to about 17% of marriages ending in divorce. Several factors contribute to low recorded rates: strong social/religious disapproval of divorce in parts of Africa, prevalence of informal separations or polygamous unions that may not end in court, and practical difficulties (especially for women) in obtaining divorces. In North Africa and the Middle East, where Islamic law influences marriage, divorce is legally allowed but often comes with conditions. 이집트, for instance, has seen rising divorce numbers in recent years (2.4 per 1,000 in 2021) – one of the higher rates in Africa – as attitudes slowly change, though women must often relinquish financial rights to initiate divorce. Other African countries like Mauritius (17%) and 모로코 (~15–20%) have moderate divorce-to-marriage ratios. Generally, African societies value marital stability, and many divorces happen without official statistics (e.g. via community elders). It is worth noting that in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, union instability can be high (due to factors like socioeconomic stress or widowhood), but these do not always register as “divorce” in data. Where data exist, they often show a pattern: urban and educated populations have higher divorce rates than rural populations, reflecting greater autonomy for couples to separate.

오세아니아

오세아니아의 이혼 패턴은 서구 국가와 비슷합니다.

국가Data YearDivorces per 1,000 PeopleMarriages per 1,000% of Marriages Ending in Divorce
호주20201.9 (est.)4.6 (est.)~41%
뉴질랜드20201.5 (est.)3.6 (est.)~42%
피지 / Pacific Islands~2018(low)(varies)(10–20%) (est.)

Oceania: 호주 그리고 뉴질랜드 have divorce rates comparable to Europe and North America. Roughly 40–45% of marriages in Australia and New Zealand are expected to end in divorce. For example, in New Zealand the crude divorce rate was 1.6 per 1,000 in 2022, and there were about 7.6 divorces per 1,000 existing married couples that year – implying a similar divorce risk of around 40%. Both countries saw a rise in divorces through the late 20th century, but rates have stabilized or declined slightly in recent years as marriage rates fall. In contrast, many smaller Pacific Island nations (Fiji, Samoa, etc.) have more conservative family structures and limited data, but anecdotal evidence suggests relatively low divorce incidence (often under 1 per 1,000).

표 참고 사항: Data reflect the latest available year (in parentheses). “% of marriages ending in divorce” is calculated as divorces ÷ marriages × 100 for that year (a high-level estimate of lifetime divorce risk). Actual lifetime divorce probabilities may differ slightly, especially in countries undergoing rapid change. Nevertheless, this percentage is a useful comparative indicator. We cite authoritative sources including the United Nations Demographic Yearbook and national statistical agencies for these figures. In general, global divorce rates range from below 0.5 per 1,000 (in a few low-divorce societies) to around 3–4 per 1,000 in the highest countries, while the share of marriages ending in divorce ranges from under 5% to over 90%, an astonishing range that reflects legal and cultural extremes.

전 세계 최고 및 최저 이혼율

Globally, the highest crude divorce rates (per 1,000 people) are observed in a mix of post-Soviet states, parts of Europe, and a few other regions. According to the latest UN data, the top annual divorce rates include:

In terms of “lifetime” divorce risk (share of marriages ending in divorce), the leaders are slightly different, highlighting the influence of low marriage rates in some places. The highest divorce-percentage countries include:

By contrast, the lowest divorce rates are found in societies with legal or cultural barriers to divorce. These include:

그림: 이혼율의 세계 지도('이혼할 확률' 국가별). 따뜻한 색상(빨간색)은 이혼율 또는 이혼 가능성이 높음을 나타내고, 차가운 색상(녹색)은 이혼율이 낮음을 나타냅니다. 회색은 데이터가 충분하지 않음을 나타냅니다. 이 지도는 구소련, 유럽 일부, 북미에서 이혼이 가장 흔한 반면 남아시아, 아프리카 일부, 일부 동남아시아 국가에서는 이혼이 가장 적다는 것을 강조합니다.

지도와 데이터에서 볼 수 있듯이 이혼율은 지역별로 큰 차이를 보입니다.. 일반적으로 선진국 및 보다 자유로운 사회 규범을 가진 지역(유럽, 북미, 오세아니아)의 이혼율이 높은 반면, 전통적 또는 제한적인 규범을 가진 개발도상국(남아시아, 중동, 아프리카)은 이혼율이 낮습니다. 그러나 부유한 동아시아 국가(일본, 한국)의 이혼율은 보통 수준이며, 일부 가난한 국가(예: 구소련권 국가)는 독특한 역사적 요인으로 인해 이혼율이 높은 예외도 있습니다. 문화적 태도, 종교, 법적 구조가 이러한 결과에 큰 영향을 미치는데, 이는 다음에 설명하는 바와 같습니다.

Divorce rates in many countries have followed an inverted U-shape trajectory over the past 50+ years: rising sharply in the 1970s–1990s, then plateauing or declining in the 2000s. The timing and height of the peak vary by country, reflecting different social changes. Figure 1 below illustrates divorce rate trends for a selection of countries across continents, highlighting these diverse patterns.

Figure 1: Divorce rate trends (divorces per 1,000 people per year) for selected countries, 1960–2020. Many Western countries (e.g. 미국, 영국, 노르웨이) saw divorce rates climb from the 1960s, peak around the 1970s–1980s, and then decline. Some East Asian and Eastern European countries (대한민국, Estonia, 폴란드) peaked later (around the early 2000s) as divorce became more accepted. Others like 터키 show a steady rise into the 2010s from a low base. (Data source: OECD/UN, via Our World in Data.)

In the 미국, the crude divorce rate rose from ~2.2 in 1960 to an all-time high of 5.3 per 1,000 in 1981, following the introduction of no-fault divorce laws and changing gender roles. Since then it has steadily fallen – by 2021 it was down to 2.5, the lowest in 50 years. This decline is partly attributed to younger generations marrying later and more selectively, resulting in more stable marriages. The U.S. divorce risk for first marriages has dropped somewhat (currently estimated around 40–45% overall). Similarly, 캐나다 그리고 호주 saw peaks in the 1980s and declines thereafter. For instance, Australia’s divorce rate spiked after no-fault divorce began in 1975, then stabilized; the percentage of marriages ending in divorce in Australia has actually ticked down from about 50% in the 1980s to ~41% today.

In Western Europe, most countries saw divorce rates surge between 1970 and 1990. The UK peaked in the mid-1990s at ~3 divorces per 1,000 (following a 1990s reform easing divorces), and has since fallen to ~1.8. Scandinavian countries had among the earliest rises (e.g. Sweden hit ~2.5 per 1,000 by the 1980s and remains around 2.0–2.5). Southern Europe was delayed – countries like Italy, Spain, Portugal had very low divorce rates until divorce became legal (Spain 1981, Portugal 1975, Italy 1970). After legalization, those countries saw steep increases: Spain’s divorce rate jumped especially after a 2005 law eased procedures, contributing to its current high divorce ratios. Portugal’s divorces also climbed rapidly in the 1990s–2000s. Interestingly, some Western countries have recently seen declining divorce rates: e.g. Germany, the Netherlands, France have all experienced slight declines in crude divorce rates since the early 2000s. This is often attributed to fewer people marrying in the first place (so fewer can divorce), as well as possibly more cohabitation and higher age at marriage (which lowers divorce risk). The EU as a whole saw its divorce rate peak around 2006 at 2.1 and then a small decline to 1.8–2.0 by 2019.

In Eastern Europe and the former USSR, the 1990s transition led to very high divorce rates. 러시아 그리고 우크라이나 peaked in the 1990s–2000s with crude rates around 4–5 per 1,000, reflecting the social turmoil and new freedoms of the post-Soviet era. Russia’s rate has since moderated to about 3.9 (as of 2020), but remains high relative to marriages. The Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) all saw divorce spikes in the late 1990s and have stayed high (Latvia’s rate of 2.8 in 2023 is one of the highest in Europe). Some Eastern European countries have recently declining divorce trends (e.g. 폴란드 peaked around 2006 and then fell slightly), likely due to cultural emphasis on family and fewer marriages among younger people (Poland still has one of Europe’s highest marriage rates).

Asia’s trends are diverse. Japan’s divorce rate rose gradually after World War II, hit ~2.1 in 2002, and then declined to ~1.6–1.7 by 2019 as the population aged and fewer young people married. 대한민국 had a later but sharper increase: its divorce rate tripled from 1.1 in 1990 to ~3.5 in 2003, then dropped to ~2.2 by 2010 and has leveled off. This pattern – a peak and then decline – in Korea and Japan is partly explained by generational shifts (the cohort married in the 1980s–90s had high divorce rates, but younger cohorts are marrying less and a bit more stable). 중국 is notable for a steady rise in divorce throughout the 2000s: from a very low base in the 1980s, China’s crude divorce rate reached 3.2 by 2018. The Chinese government’s recent introduction of a 30-day waiting period in 2021 led to a reported 70% drop in registered divorces immediately after, but this may indicate delayed or unregistered separations rather than a true behavioral shift (some Chinese couples rushed to divorce 전에 the law, spiking 2020 figures, then a drop in 2021). Over the long term, China’s trend reflects increased individualism and reduced stigma around divorce in urban areas. In 인도, by contrast, the divorce rate has remained consistently minuscule over time – there is no comparable “divorce boom,” and historical stigma has kept rates near zero (though urban India is seeing a slow uptick in divorces in recent years).

Many Middle Eastern 그리고 North African countries lack long-term data, but some (like 이집트 그리고 Jordan) show rising divorce counts in the 2010s, likely due to gradual social changes and legal reforms. For example, Egypt’s divorce rate increased throughout the 2010s to a high in 2021 (at 2.4 per 1,000). Gulf countries such as the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait reportedly had high divorce rates in the 1990s–2000s (with Qatar peaking around 2005 at ~2.2 per 1,000, and Kuwait even higher), followed by some stabilization. These trends often coincide with modernization and women’s education improving, leading to more willingness to end unhappy marriages.

In 아프리카, historical data are limited. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that in some Southern African countries divorce became more common post-2000 (e.g. 보츠와나 그리고 남아프리카 공화국 saw increases in the 1990s, then slight declines). South Africa’s recorded divorces have slowly decreased since 2004, possibly due to fewer formal marriages and more cohabitation. In contrast, countries like 에티오피아 또는 나이지리아 still have very low formal divorce incidence historically, though separation rates might be higher.

요약하면, 주요 선진국들은 대부분 '이혼 혁명'의 정점을 지나 20세기 후반까지 상승했던 이혼율이 21세기에 들어 정체되거나 감소하기 시작했습니다. 개발도상국은 각기 다른 단계에 있습니다. 일부 국가(특히 동아시아, 라틴 아메리카 일부)는 2000년대 이혼이 급증했다가 현재 평준화되고 있는 반면, 남아시아, 아프리카 일부 국가는 문화적 제약으로 인해 아직 크게 증가하지 않았습니다.

지역 및 경제 패턴

When comparing across continents and economic groups, clear patterns emerge in divorce prevalence:

에서 economic classification perspective, high-income economies report higher divorce incidence on average than low-income economies. Developed countries not only have higher official divorce rates but also more liberal laws and social safety nets to support divorced individuals. In contrast, in low-income countries, marriage is often intertwined with family honor, women’s financial security, and social standing, which suppresses divorce. For instance, the top 10 countries with the lowest divorce rates all score poorly on the UN Gender Inequality Index (indicating more traditional, restrictive roles for women). This suggests that very low divorce rates can be a sign of limited female empowerment or legal hurdles, rather than marital bliss. Indeed, a comparison shows that many countries with the lowest divorce rates (e.g. Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Pakistan) rank low in gender equality, whereas among the highest-divorce countries, a number are relatively gender-equal (e.g. Sweden, Belgium) but some are not (Russia, Belarus). In short, greater personal freedoms and gender equality tend to increase divorce rates up to a point, but extremely high divorce rates can also stem from social instability or evolving norms in middle-income countries. High divorce societies span a range of economic levels, but what they share is a cultural acceptance of ending marriages. Conversely, the lowest-divorce societies often enforce strict legal/religious constraints or social penalties around divorce.

이혼은 진공 상태에서 발생하는 것이 아니라 한 사회의 규범, 법률, 결혼에 대한 태도 등에 깊은 영향을 받습니다. 여기에서는 사회적, 법적, 문화적 요인이 이혼율의 차이를 어떻게 유발하는지 살펴봅니다:

요약하자면 societal context is crucial to understanding divorce rates. High divorce societies generally feature secular attitudes, accessible legal processes, greater gender equality, and an emphasis on individual choice. Low divorce societies often feature strong religious or clan controls, legal obstacles, and significant social or economic penalties for divorce (especially for women). It is not that people in low-divorce countries never experience marital breakdowns or conflicts, but rather that the pressures to remain married (or the lack of mechanisms to divorce) keep marriages intact on paper. Meanwhile, high-divorce countries often have support systems and social acceptance that make ending a marriage a viable route if the relationship is unsatisfactory. As one research summary put it, “In general, the greater the educational level of a country’s women, the higher that country’s divorce rate.” Social scientists also note that attitudes toward divorce both influence and are influenced by the divorce rate: as divorce becomes more common in a society, it further loses stigma, creating a feedback loop of normalization.

결론 및 주요 내용

Divorce rates around the world reflect a complex interplay of cultural values, legal frameworks, economic conditions, and social change. A few key findings from this comprehensive overview include:

In conclusion, global divorce rates are a mirror of societal change. Countries in the midst of rapid social transitions (economic development, shifts in gender roles, secularization) often see rising divorces, as established norms break down and individuals prioritize personal fulfillment. Conversely, in societies holding firmly to traditional structures – whether by choice or coercion – divorce remains rare. As the world continues to develop and cultural values evolve, it is likely that more countries will experience higher divorce rates, up to a point. Indeed, the United Nations notes that the proportion of adults who are divorced/separated worldwide has grown, doubling from the 1970s to the 2000s. Still, we may also see convergence: extremely high-divorce countries might stabilize (as marriage becomes less common or relationships strengthen with better matching), and extremely low-divorce countries may gradually increase as attitudes liberalize.

From a policy perspective, the data suggests a need for balancing marital stability with individual well-being. High divorce societies face challenges of supporting single-parent families and addressing the needs of children of divorce (who often face economic and emotional impacts). Low divorce societies, on the other hand, must consider the rights and welfare of individuals trapped in marriages due to social or legal pressure. Ultimately, the goal is not to push divorce rates up or down arbitrarily, but to ensure that marriage is entered into and exited from by free choice and that families and individuals have the support they need regardless of structure. The global picture of divorce is one of striking diversity – from nearly universal lifelong marriage in some cultures, to marriage being a coin flip proposition in others – underscoring how marriage, one of the most personal institutions, is profoundly shaped by the broader society around it.

출처: Data compiled from the United Nations Demographic Yearbook, World Bank and OECD family databases, national statistical agencies (e.g. Eurostat for EU nations, U.S. CDC/NCHS for America), and academic research on cross-national divorce determinants. Figures on marriage and divorce rates by country are from latest available official records as cited above, with Our World in Data providing historical trend visualizations. These sources collectively ensure a credible and up-to-date representation of global divorce patterns.

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