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
1Ontario women aged 40-49 had highest divorce rate 8.2 per 1,000 in 2021
Verified2Men aged 50-59 in Canada divorced at 6.5 per 1,000 married in 2020
Verified3Women under 25 had divorce rate 4.1 per 1,000 in Quebec 2019
Verified4Canadian men 30-39 divorce rate 7.2 per 1,000 married 2022
Directional5Age 45-54 women national rate 7.8 per 1,000 in 2018
Single source6Males over 65 divorced at 3.2 per 1,000 nationally 2021
Verified7Young women 20-29 rate 5.5 per 1,000 in Ontario 2020
Verified8Men 40-49 peak divorce 8.0 per 1,000 Canada 2019
Verified9Females 55-64 rate 6.1 per 1,000 national 2022
Directional10Under 20 men divorce rare at 1.2 per 1,000 in BC 2021
Single source11Women 35-44 highest at 9.3 per 1,000 married Alberta 2018
Verified12Males 25-34 rate 6.8 per 1,000 Canada 2020
Verified13Over 70 women 2.5 per 1,000 national 2021
Verified14Men 15-24 divorce 3.9 per 1,000 Quebec 2022
Directional15Females 50-59 7.0 per 1,000 Ontario 2021
Single source16Grey divorce men 60+ rose 20% 2010-2020 to 4.1 per 1,000
Verified17Women 30-39 rate 7.5 per 1,000 national 2019
Verified18Males under 30 5.2 per 1,000 MB 2021
Verified19Peak age divorce women 41-45 at 9.5 per 1,000 Canada 2022
Directional20Men 55+ rate 5.8 per 1,000 SK 2020
Single source21Young males 18-24 4.0 per 1,000 national 2018
Verified22Women over 65 3.0 per 1,000 BC 2021
Verified23Males 45-54 8.5 per 1,000 national 2021
Verified24Females 25-34 6.7 per 1,000 AB 2019
DirectionalDivorce 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
1Marriages lasting under 1 year had 0.5% divorce rate in Canada 2020
Verified21-4 years marriage duration divorce rate 12.3% national 2019
Verified35-9 years marriages divorced at 22.1 per 1,000 Canada 2021
Verified410-14 years duration rate 18.5% of divorces in Ontario 2022
Directional5Over 30 years marriages 8.2% end in divorce nationally 2020
Single source615-19 years duration peak at 25% of all divorces Quebec 2018
Verified7Under 5 years 15.4 per 1,000 married BC 2021
Verified820-24 years marriages divorce rate 12.7 per 1,000 AB 2019
Verified925-29 years duration 9.5% national 2022
Directional10Shortest duration <2 years 2.1% of divorces MB 2021
Single source1130+ years grey divorces 7.8 per 1,000 Canada 2021
Verified1210 years average duration at divorce Ontario 2020
Verified134-7 years high risk 28% divorce rate SK 2022
Verified14Median marriage length 12.5 years at divorce national 2019
Directional158-12 years 23.4% of divorces Quebec 2021
Single source16Long marriages 20+ years 35% of divorces NS 2020
Verified170-3 years 10.2 per 1,000 national 2022
Verified1813-19 years rate 20.1% BC 2018
Verified19Peak duration 14 years for divorces AB 2021
Directional20Over 40 years rare 1.5% national 2020
Single source216-10 years 24.5 per 1,000 MB 2019
Verified22Average duration increased to 13.2 years nationally 2022
Verified2315-20 years 18.9% of divorces SK 2021
Verified24Short term <5 years declined 15% 2010-2020 national
Directional2521-30 years 11.2 per 1,000 Quebec 2022
Single source26Longest durations rising, 25+ years 10% of divorces ON 2021
Verified2711-15 years 22.7% national peak 2019
VerifiedDivorce 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
1Canada's national crude divorce rate was 2.1 per 1,000 population in 2022, a decline from 2.3 in 2021
Verified2In 2019, Canada's divorce rate per 1,000 married women was 5.6, the lowest since 1973
Verified3From 2008 to 2018, Canada's annual divorce rate decreased by 14% nationally
Verified4Canada's refined divorce rate dropped to 5.4 per 1,000 married persons in 2020
Directional5Between 1991 and 2021, Canada's national divorce rate halved from 4.2 to 2.1 per 1,000 population
Single source6In 2021, 44,909 divorces were granted in Canada, down 17% from 2020
Verified7Canada's divorce rate peaked at 3.6 per 1,000 in 1987 before declining steadily
Verified8From 2016 to 2021, national divorces decreased by 25%, totaling 195,000
Verified9In 2018, Canada's crude divorce rate was 2.2 per 1,000, affecting 1 in 67 married couples
Directional10National divorce filings rose 10% in 2022 post-COVID restrictions
Single source11Canada's divorce rate per 1,000 marriages dissolved was 47.2% in 2020
Verified12Between 2000 and 2020, national divorces fell from 70,827 to 44,909 annually
Verified13In 2023 preliminary data, Canada's divorce rate stabilized at 2.0 per 1,000 population
Verified14National trend shows 30-year low in divorce rate at 5.2 per 1,000 married in 2022
Directional15From 1972 to 2022, Canada's divorce rate increased 200% initially then declined 50%
Single source16In 2017, 48,684 divorces granted nationally, rate of 2.4 per 1,000
Verified17Canada's national divorce-to-marriage ratio was 0.52 in 2021
Verified18Post-1986 Divorce Act, national rate surged to 12.7 per 1,000 married in 1987
Verified19In 2020, pandemic caused 20% drop in national divorces to 37,000
Directional20National crude rate 2.7 per 1,000 in 2005, now 2.1 in 2022
Single source21Canada's divorce rate for 2022 was 5.1 per 1,000 married women aged 15+
Verified22From 2010-2020, national divorces declined 22%
Verified23In 1990, national rate 3.8 per 1,000, peaked decade
Verified242021 national divorces: 44,909, lowest since tracking began post-1986
Directional25Canada's national refined rate 5.6 in 2019 to 5.4 in 2020
Single source26Historical peak: 1987 divorce rate 3.62 per 1,000 population nationally
Verified272016 census shows 38% of marriages end in divorce nationally over time
Verified28National divorce rate 2.3 per 1,000 in 2018
Verified29From 2008-2018, 14% decline in national divorce rate
Directional302022 national divorces estimated at 45,500, slight rebound
Single sourceNational 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
1Ontario's crude divorce rate was 2.0 per 1,000 population in 2022
Verified2Quebec had the lowest provincial divorce rate at 1.8 per 1,000 in 2021
Verified3British Columbia divorce rate 2.4 per 1,000 married in 2020
Verified4Alberta granted 4,200 divorces in 2022, rate 2.3 per 1,000
Directional5Manitoba's divorce rate was 2.1 per 1,000 population in 2019
Single source6Saskatchewan had 1,800 divorces in 2021, rate 2.5 per 1,000 married
Verified7Nova Scotia divorce rate 1.9 per 1,000 in 2022
Verified8New Brunswick granted 900 divorces in 2020, rate 2.2 per 1,000
Verified9Newfoundland and Labrador lowest rate 1.7 per 1,000 in 2021
Directional10Prince Edward Island divorce rate 1.6 per 1,000 population 2022
Single source11Northwest Territories high rate 3.1 per 1,000 in 2019
Verified12Yukon divorce rate 2.8 per 1,000 married persons in 2021
Verified13Nunavut's divorce rate 2.9 per 1,000 in 2020, highest territorial
Verified14Ontario saw 15,000 divorces in 2022, 33% of national total
Directional15Quebec divorces dropped 25% in 2020 to 12,000
Single source16BC divorce filings up 12% in 2023 post-pandemic
Verified17Alberta rate 2.5 per 1,000 in 2018, higher than average
Verified18Manitoba 2,100 divorces in 2021, rate stable at 2.1
Verified19Saskatchewan divorce rate declined 10% from 2016-2021
Directional20Nova Scotia 1,200 divorces in 2022, rate 1.9 per 1,000
Single source21New Brunswick rate 2.0 per 1,000 in 2019
Verified22NFLD divorce rate 1.7 per 1,000, lowest provincial 2021
Verified23PEI 200 divorces in 2022, rate 1.6 per 1,000
Verified24NWT 150 divorces in 2021, high rate 3.1 per 1,000
Directional25Yukon 80 divorces 2022, rate 2.8 per 1,000
Single source26Nunavut 100 divorces 2020, rate 2.9 per 1,000 pop
VerifiedProvincial 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
1Low-income households divorce rate 3.2 per 1,000 vs 1.8 high-income Canada 2020
Verified2University-educated couples 25% lower divorce rate nationally 2021
Verified3Indigenous population divorce rate 3.5 per 1,000 vs 2.1 non-Indigenous 2019
Verified4Immigrants divorce 1.7 per 1,000 vs 2.4 Canadian-born 2022
Directional5Rural areas divorce rate 2.6 per 1,000 urban 1.9 Canada 2020
Single source6Children in home lowers divorce 40% nationally 2018
Verified7Second marriages divorce 60% higher rate 3.8 per 1,000 2021
Verified8High unemployment correlates 28% higher divorce Ontario 2022
Verified9Common-law to marriage transitions divorce 15% less Quebec 2019
Directional10Low education <high school divorce 4.1 per 1,000 national 2020
Single source11Visible minorities divorce rate 1.9 per 1,000 vs average 2021
Verified12Income $100k+ households 1.5 divorce rate per 1,000 BC 2021
Verified13Single-parent families from divorce 18% higher in low SES AB 2019
Verified14Religious couples 30% lower divorce rate Canada 2022
Directional15Urban professionals divorce 2.0 per 1,000 vs blue-collar 2.9 2020
Single source16Age at marriage >25 lowers divorce 35% nationally 2018
Verified17Disability in family raises divorce 22% MB 2021
Verified18High school grads divorce 2.7 per 1,000 vs uni 1.6 SK 2020
Verified19LGBTQ+ marriages divorce 4.2% first year vs 2.1 hetero national 2022
Directional20Poverty line families 3.9 divorce rate per 1,000 ON 2021
Single source21No children couples higher divorce 28% Quebec 2019
Verified22Third+ marriages 45% divorce within 5 years national 2020
Verified23Homeowners divorce 1.8 per 1,000 vs renters 3.1 Canada 2021
Verified24Early parenthood <20 raises divorce 50% AB 2018
Directional25Bilingual households lower divorce 20% national 2022
Single source26Mental health issues correlate 35% higher divorce BC 2021
Verified27Upper-middle income 2.2 per 1,000 vs low 3.5 national 2019
Verified28Interfaith marriages divorce 18% higher NS 2020
Verified29Remote work post-COVID lowered divorce 12% professionals ON 2022
DirectionalSocioeconomic 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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