In a surprising twist on Tolstoy’s famous observation, the UK’s rising cost-of-living crisis is reshaping the landscape of marital dissatisfaction and divorce. Recent official statistics reveal that while the proportion of adults unhappy with their relationships has surged to its highest level since 2014, the divorce rate has plummeted to its lowest in over 50 years.
According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the increase in relationship dissatisfaction coincides with a severe bout of inflation that has drastically reduced household incomes and escalated the costs of essentials like energy, groceries, and rent. Mortgage rates, raised by the Bank of England to combat inflation, have further inflated the cost of home ownership and renting, making divorce financially prohibitive for many.
Joanna Newton, a partner at Stowe Family Law, explains, “The cost of living has become so high that some people are postponing divorce until the economic situation improves. What one income might have covered in the past, such as bills and childcare, has become increasingly unaffordable.”
The ONS survey indicates that 6% of people were unhappy with their relationships in 2022, the highest level recorded since 2014. Despite this, divorces in England and Wales fell by 30% to 80,057 in 2022, the lowest number since 1971.
The decline in divorces comes even after significant legal reforms in 2020, which introduced “no-fault” divorces, allowing couples to separate without proving unreasonable behavior. However, these changes have been overshadowed by the economic strain.
While real household incomes are slowly recovering following a return to a 2% inflation target, mortgage rates remain high, and the rental market is still extremely competitive. Many couples have delayed separation due to the prohibitive costs of housing and fear of financial losses from selling property in a volatile market.
Newton notes, “The increase in mortgage and rental costs makes it difficult for many to move out on their own. People are holding off on divorce to avoid financial strain and to maximize the value from selling their homes.”
A recent report from Stowe Family Law found that over 30% of respondents were staying in their relationships because they could not afford to live separately. Financial pressures have also contributed to relationship strain, with many couples citing rising utility and food bills as major sources of conflict.
In summary, the economic challenges are not only affecting marital satisfaction but are also making divorce a less feasible option for many, underscoring how financial stress can deeply impact personal relationships.
