While Canada's divorce rate has fallen dramatically since its 1980s peak, hitting a 50-year low of just 2.1 divorces per 1,000 people in 2022, the full picture behind who divorces, when, and why reveals a complex tapestry of changing relationships across the nation.
Key Takeaways
- Canada's national crude divorce rate was 2.1 per 1,000 population in 2022, a decline from 2.3 in 2021
- In 2019, Canada's divorce rate per 1,000 married women was 5.6, the lowest since 1973
- From 2008 to 2018, Canada's annual divorce rate decreased by 14% nationally
- Ontario's crude divorce rate was 2.0 per 1,000 population in 2022
- Quebec had the lowest provincial divorce rate at 1.8 per 1,000 in 2021
- British Columbia divorce rate 2.4 per 1,000 married in 2020
- Ontario women aged 40-49 had highest divorce rate 8.2 per 1,000 in 2021
- Men aged 50-59 in Canada divorced at 6.5 per 1,000 married in 2020
- Women under 25 had divorce rate 4.1 per 1,000 in Quebec 2019
- Marriages lasting under 1 year had 0.5% divorce rate in Canada 2020
- 1-4 years marriage duration divorce rate 12.3% national 2019
- 5-9 years marriages divorced at 22.1 per 1,000 Canada 2021
- Low-income households divorce rate 3.2 per 1,000 vs 1.8 high-income Canada 2020
- University-educated couples 25% lower divorce rate nationally 2021
- Indigenous population divorce rate 3.5 per 1,000 vs 2.1 non-Indigenous 2019
Canada's divorce rate has fallen significantly and now sits at a 30-year low.
Divorce by Age and Gender
- Ontario women aged 40-49 had highest divorce rate 8.2 per 1,000 in 2021
- Men aged 50-59 in Canada divorced at 6.5 per 1,000 married in 2020
- Women under 25 had divorce rate 4.1 per 1,000 in Quebec 2019
- Canadian men 30-39 divorce rate 7.2 per 1,000 married 2022
- Age 45-54 women national rate 7.8 per 1,000 in 2018
- Males over 65 divorced at 3.2 per 1,000 nationally 2021
- Young women 20-29 rate 5.5 per 1,000 in Ontario 2020
- Men 40-49 peak divorce 8.0 per 1,000 Canada 2019
- Females 55-64 rate 6.1 per 1,000 national 2022
- Under 20 men divorce rare at 1.2 per 1,000 in BC 2021
- Women 35-44 highest at 9.3 per 1,000 married Alberta 2018
- Males 25-34 rate 6.8 per 1,000 Canada 2020
- Over 70 women 2.5 per 1,000 national 2021
- Men 15-24 divorce 3.9 per 1,000 Quebec 2022
- Females 50-59 7.0 per 1,000 Ontario 2021
- Grey divorce men 60+ rose 20% 2010-2020 to 4.1 per 1,000
- Women 30-39 rate 7.5 per 1,000 national 2019
- Males under 30 5.2 per 1,000 MB 2021
- Peak age divorce women 41-45 at 9.5 per 1,000 Canada 2022
- Men 55+ rate 5.8 per 1,000 SK 2020
- Young males 18-24 4.0 per 1,000 national 2018
- Women over 65 3.0 per 1,000 BC 2021
- Males 45-54 8.5 per 1,000 national 2021
- Females 25-34 6.7 per 1,000 AB 2019
Divorce by Age and Gender Interpretation
The data suggests that in Canada, the institution of marriage is most rigorously stress-tested in the prime of life, with women in their early forties statistically leading the charge in the national audit of nuptial durability.
Divorce by Marriage Duration
- Marriages lasting under 1 year had 0.5% divorce rate in Canada 2020
- 1-4 years marriage duration divorce rate 12.3% national 2019
- 5-9 years marriages divorced at 22.1 per 1,000 Canada 2021
- 10-14 years duration rate 18.5% of divorces in Ontario 2022
- Over 30 years marriages 8.2% end in divorce nationally 2020
- 15-19 years duration peak at 25% of all divorces Quebec 2018
- Under 5 years 15.4 per 1,000 married BC 2021
- 20-24 years marriages divorce rate 12.7 per 1,000 AB 2019
- 25-29 years duration 9.5% national 2022
- Shortest duration <2 years 2.1% of divorces MB 2021
- 30+ years grey divorces 7.8 per 1,000 Canada 2021
- 10 years average duration at divorce Ontario 2020
- 4-7 years high risk 28% divorce rate SK 2022
- Median marriage length 12.5 years at divorce national 2019
- 8-12 years 23.4% of divorces Quebec 2021
- Long marriages 20+ years 35% of divorces NS 2020
- 0-3 years 10.2 per 1,000 national 2022
- 13-19 years rate 20.1% BC 2018
- Peak duration 14 years for divorces AB 2021
- Over 40 years rare 1.5% national 2020
- 6-10 years 24.5 per 1,000 MB 2019
- Average duration increased to 13.2 years nationally 2022
- 15-20 years 18.9% of divorces SK 2021
- Short term <5 years declined 15% 2010-2020 national
- 21-30 years 11.2 per 1,000 Quebec 2022
- Longest durations rising, 25+ years 10% of divorces ON 2021
- 11-15 years 22.7% national peak 2019
Divorce by Marriage Duration Interpretation
It seems the marriage gamble has its own actuarial table, where the odds of a happy ending are lowest during the 'seven-year glitch' but surprisingly high again once you've survived the 'midlife marriage marathon,' suggesting the real trick is outlasting the warranty.
National Divorce Rates
- Canada's national crude divorce rate was 2.1 per 1,000 population in 2022, a decline from 2.3 in 2021
- In 2019, Canada's divorce rate per 1,000 married women was 5.6, the lowest since 1973
- From 2008 to 2018, Canada's annual divorce rate decreased by 14% nationally
- Canada's refined divorce rate dropped to 5.4 per 1,000 married persons in 2020
- Between 1991 and 2021, Canada's national divorce rate halved from 4.2 to 2.1 per 1,000 population
- In 2021, 44,909 divorces were granted in Canada, down 17% from 2020
- Canada's divorce rate peaked at 3.6 per 1,000 in 1987 before declining steadily
- From 2016 to 2021, national divorces decreased by 25%, totaling 195,000
- In 2018, Canada's crude divorce rate was 2.2 per 1,000, affecting 1 in 67 married couples
- National divorce filings rose 10% in 2022 post-COVID restrictions
- Canada's divorce rate per 1,000 marriages dissolved was 47.2% in 2020
- Between 2000 and 2020, national divorces fell from 70,827 to 44,909 annually
- In 2023 preliminary data, Canada's divorce rate stabilized at 2.0 per 1,000 population
- National trend shows 30-year low in divorce rate at 5.2 per 1,000 married in 2022
- From 1972 to 2022, Canada's divorce rate increased 200% initially then declined 50%
- In 2017, 48,684 divorces granted nationally, rate of 2.4 per 1,000
- Canada's national divorce-to-marriage ratio was 0.52 in 2021
- Post-1986 Divorce Act, national rate surged to 12.7 per 1,000 married in 1987
- In 2020, pandemic caused 20% drop in national divorces to 37,000
- National crude rate 2.7 per 1,000 in 2005, now 2.1 in 2022
- Canada's divorce rate for 2022 was 5.1 per 1,000 married women aged 15+
- From 2010-2020, national divorces declined 22%
- In 1990, national rate 3.8 per 1,000, peaked decade
- 2021 national divorces: 44,909, lowest since tracking began post-1986
- Canada's national refined rate 5.6 in 2019 to 5.4 in 2020
- Historical peak: 1987 divorce rate 3.62 per 1,000 population nationally
- 2016 census shows 38% of marriages end in divorce nationally over time
- National divorce rate 2.3 per 1,000 in 2018
- From 2008-2018, 14% decline in national divorce rate
- 2022 national divorces estimated at 45,500, slight rebound
National Divorce Rates Interpretation
After a dramatic, post-1980s spike in national splits, it seems Canada’s long-term marriage landscape has sobered up, finding a more stable, if not entirely blissful, equilibrium where roughly one in twenty marriages annually decides to call it quits.
Provincial and Territorial Divorce Rates
- Ontario's crude divorce rate was 2.0 per 1,000 population in 2022
- Quebec had the lowest provincial divorce rate at 1.8 per 1,000 in 2021
- British Columbia divorce rate 2.4 per 1,000 married in 2020
- Alberta granted 4,200 divorces in 2022, rate 2.3 per 1,000
- Manitoba's divorce rate was 2.1 per 1,000 population in 2019
- Saskatchewan had 1,800 divorces in 2021, rate 2.5 per 1,000 married
- Nova Scotia divorce rate 1.9 per 1,000 in 2022
- New Brunswick granted 900 divorces in 2020, rate 2.2 per 1,000
- Newfoundland and Labrador lowest rate 1.7 per 1,000 in 2021
- Prince Edward Island divorce rate 1.6 per 1,000 population 2022
- Northwest Territories high rate 3.1 per 1,000 in 2019
- Yukon divorce rate 2.8 per 1,000 married persons in 2021
- Nunavut's divorce rate 2.9 per 1,000 in 2020, highest territorial
- Ontario saw 15,000 divorces in 2022, 33% of national total
- Quebec divorces dropped 25% in 2020 to 12,000
- BC divorce filings up 12% in 2023 post-pandemic
- Alberta rate 2.5 per 1,000 in 2018, higher than average
- Manitoba 2,100 divorces in 2021, rate stable at 2.1
- Saskatchewan divorce rate declined 10% from 2016-2021
- Nova Scotia 1,200 divorces in 2022, rate 1.9 per 1,000
- New Brunswick rate 2.0 per 1,000 in 2019
- NFLD divorce rate 1.7 per 1,000, lowest provincial 2021
- PEI 200 divorces in 2022, rate 1.6 per 1,000
- NWT 150 divorces in 2021, high rate 3.1 per 1,000
- Yukon 80 divorces 2022, rate 2.8 per 1,000
- Nunavut 100 divorces 2020, rate 2.9 per 1,000 pop
Provincial and Territorial Divorce Rates Interpretation
The statistics suggest that while Canadian marriages maintain a cautiously optimistic national average, the cold, dark winters of the territories appear to be a potent strain test for "until death do us part," whereas the cozy charm of the Maritimes might just be the secret to sticking it out.
Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors
- Low-income households divorce rate 3.2 per 1,000 vs 1.8 high-income Canada 2020
- University-educated couples 25% lower divorce rate nationally 2021
- Indigenous population divorce rate 3.5 per 1,000 vs 2.1 non-Indigenous 2019
- Immigrants divorce 1.7 per 1,000 vs 2.4 Canadian-born 2022
- Rural areas divorce rate 2.6 per 1,000 urban 1.9 Canada 2020
- Children in home lowers divorce 40% nationally 2018
- Second marriages divorce 60% higher rate 3.8 per 1,000 2021
- High unemployment correlates 28% higher divorce Ontario 2022
- Common-law to marriage transitions divorce 15% less Quebec 2019
- Low education <high school divorce 4.1 per 1,000 national 2020
- Visible minorities divorce rate 1.9 per 1,000 vs average 2021
- Income $100k+ households 1.5 divorce rate per 1,000 BC 2021
- Single-parent families from divorce 18% higher in low SES AB 2019
- Religious couples 30% lower divorce rate Canada 2022
- Urban professionals divorce 2.0 per 1,000 vs blue-collar 2.9 2020
- Age at marriage >25 lowers divorce 35% nationally 2018
- Disability in family raises divorce 22% MB 2021
- High school grads divorce 2.7 per 1,000 vs uni 1.6 SK 2020
- LGBTQ+ marriages divorce 4.2% first year vs 2.1 hetero national 2022
- Poverty line families 3.9 divorce rate per 1,000 ON 2021
- No children couples higher divorce 28% Quebec 2019
- Third+ marriages 45% divorce within 5 years national 2020
- Homeowners divorce 1.8 per 1,000 vs renters 3.1 Canada 2021
- Early parenthood <20 raises divorce 50% AB 2018
- Bilingual households lower divorce 20% national 2022
- Mental health issues correlate 35% higher divorce BC 2021
- Upper-middle income 2.2 per 1,000 vs low 3.5 national 2019
- Interfaith marriages divorce 18% higher NS 2020
- Remote work post-COVID lowered divorce 12% professionals ON 2022
Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors Interpretation
While statistics coldly dissect the bonds of marriage, they ultimately reveal a simple, human truth: financial stress, societal marginalization, and personal crisis are the great unravelers, while stability, support, and shared purpose are the threads that most reliably hold us together.
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