This page explores the reasons people report for divorce, mapping the patterns that show how breakups can involve emotional discontent, trust strains, and day-to-day friction. You’ll see what divorced individuals say are the key drivers—such as infidelity, growing apart, and arguments—and how these factors tend to cluster. As you move through the sections, the connections across common scenarios become clearer.
Key Takeaways
- 43% of divorced people said their divorce was due to 'unhappiness' or 'being out of love'.
- 36% of divorced people cited 'infidelity' as a divorce reason.
- 25% of divorced people reported 'spending too much time apart' as a divorce reason.
Most divorces are blamed on unhappiness, infidelity, or growing apart, with arguments also playing a role.
Related reading
01 · Category
Causes30 stats
01
43% of divorced people said their divorce was due to 'unhappiness' or 'being out of love'.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
02
36% of divorced people cited 'infidelity' as a divorce reason.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
03
25% of divorced people reported 'spending too much time apart' as a divorce reason.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
04
24% of divorced people reported 'arguments/disagreement' as a divorce reason.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
05
22% of divorced people cited 'alcohol/drug abuse' as a divorce reason.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
06
20% of divorced people cited 'domestic violence' as a divorce reason.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
07
17% of divorced people reported 'financial problems' as a divorce reason.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
08
15% of divorced people reported 'not getting along with spouse’s family' as a divorce reason.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
09
14% of divorced people reported 'mental health problems' as a divorce reason.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
10
13% of divorced people cited 'spouse’s unemployment/financial hardship' as a divorce reason.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
11
12% of divorced people reported 'difference in values' as a divorce reason.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
12
11% of divorced people cited 'immigration/visa issues' as a divorce reason.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
13
10% of divorced people reported 'other' as the divorce reason.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
14
31% of divorced people said their spouse's drinking was a factor in the divorce.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
15
26% of divorced people said their spouse's drug use was a factor in the divorce.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
16
19% of divorced people said their spouse’s gambling was a factor in the divorce.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
17
15% of divorced people said 'separation was a factor' (distance or living apart) in the divorce.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
18
14% of divorced people said 'work schedule/time demands' contributed to the divorce.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
19
13% of divorced people said 'job loss/financial strain' contributed to the divorce.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
20
12% of divorced people said 'lack of support/emotional support' contributed to the divorce.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
21
11% of divorced people said 'sexual problems' contributed to the divorce.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
22
10% of divorced people said 'infertility' or inability to have children contributed to the divorce.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
23
9% of divorced people said 'religious differences' contributed to the divorce.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
24
8% of divorced people said 'residential moves' contributed to the divorce.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
25
7% of divorced people said 'spouse’s mental illness' contributed to divorce.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
26
6% of divorced people said 'chronic health problems' contributed to divorce.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
27
5% of divorced people said 'parenting disagreements' contributed to the divorce.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
28
4% of divorced people said 'other family issues' contributed to divorce.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
29
3% of divorced people said 'death of a family member' contributed to divorce.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
30
2% of divorced people said 'spouse’s incarceration' contributed to the divorce.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr006.pdf
Interpretation
Causes Interpretation
In the Causes category, the most commonly reported driver is relationship unhappiness at 43%, while the next biggest contributors are infidelity at 36% and time apart at 25%, with disputes, substance abuse, and domestic violence each reported by smaller shares ranging from 20% to 24%.
More related reading
Reference
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APA
Rachel Svensson. (2026, February 13). Divorce Reason Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/divorce-reason-statistics
MLA
Rachel Svensson. "Divorce Reason Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/divorce-reason-statistics.
Chicago
Rachel Svensson. 2026. "Divorce Reason Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/divorce-reason-statistics.