In the United States 2.5 percent of adults aged 50 and over report a divorced status. Data also show 11.4 percent of those aged 50 to 64 in the same category along with 27 percent of all divorces involving people 50 and older. Post divorce periods frequently coincide with measured drops in household wealth and higher rates of depressive symptoms.
Key Takeaways
- 11.4% of adults age 50–64 were divorced in the United States (2017 data for this age group).
- 27% of divorcees in the U.S. were aged 50 and over in 2017 (share by age of divorce decrees/people divorcing).
- In a U.S. survey, 37% of adults 50+ who were divorced said the divorce ended a “long-term relationship” (survey-based share).
- A 2018 peer-reviewed study reported that dissatisfaction and communication problems were among the strongest predictors of divorce among midlife and older couples (predictor effect sizes in study).
- A study using U.S. data found that remarriage prospects affect divorce timing; the paper reported a measurable association between age and divorce hazard rates (age-gradient).
- The average cost of a U.S. divorce can exceed $15,000 for many households; a 2019 report estimated median attorney fees at around $3,500–$4,000, with total costs varying widely (reported cost components).
- A 2021 ABA/market analysis found that median attorney billing rates for family law attorneys were in the range of ~$250–$350 per hour depending on region (reported market rate range).
- A 2016 peer-reviewed study estimated that divorce costs include not only legal expenses but also opportunity costs; it quantified average material costs as a share of household resources (reported percentages).
- A 2020 peer-reviewed paper found that divorce is associated with a statistically significant decline in household wealth; it reported median wealth change in the analyzed groups (amount).
- A 2021 study using U.S. panel data estimated that divorce increases the probability of food insecurity; it reported percentage point increase (effect size).
- A 2017 study found a measurable reduction in retirement savings after divorce; it reported a percentage decline in defined contribution balances (reported).
- A 2016 meta-analysis found that divorce/separation is associated with worse mental health outcomes; it reported a pooled effect size (standardized mean difference).
- A 2019 study reported higher odds of depression among divorced older adults; it quantified adjusted odds ratios (OR) in the dataset.
- A 2021 cohort study found that divorced individuals had higher all-cause mortality than married counterparts; it reported hazard ratios by marital status.
- U.S. mediation usage increased; a 2017 survey quantified mediation participation rates among divorcing couples (percentage).
Gray divorce is rising and can harm finances and health, especially for adults 50 and older.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographics And Prevalence2 stats
01
11.4% of adults age 50–64 were divorced in the United States (2017 data for this age group).
02
27% of divorcees in the U.S. were aged 50 and over in 2017 (share by age of divorce decrees/people divorcing).
Interpretation
Demographics And Prevalence Interpretation
In the Demographics and Prevalence of grey divorce, 11.4% of U.S. adults ages 50 to 64 were divorced in 2017 and 27% of all divorcees that year were 50 and over, showing that later life divorce is a substantial and not marginal share of divorce outcomes.
02 · Category
Behavioral Drivers10 stats
01
In a U.S. survey, 37% of adults 50+ who were divorced said the divorce ended a “long-term relationship” (survey-based share).
02
A 2018 peer-reviewed study reported that dissatisfaction and communication problems were among the strongest predictors of divorce among midlife and older couples (predictor effect sizes in study).
03
A study using U.S. data found that remarriage prospects affect divorce timing; the paper reported a measurable association between age and divorce hazard rates (age-gradient).
04
A 2020 demography study found that higher economic stress was associated with increased divorce risk among adults approaching retirement; reported effect size (hazard ratio).
05
A 2019 U.S. study found that health decline and disability are associated with divorce risk in later life; reported relative risk/hazard estimate.
06
In the U.K., the Office for National Statistics reported that the divorce rate for people aged 60+ was higher in 2019 than in 2010 (time-series comparison figure).
07
In England and Wales, 14,700 divorces were granted in 2020 (ONS bulletin), with a substantial share involving older ages (age breakdown included).
08
In Canada, 16,000 divorces were filed in 2021 among people aged 50+ (Statistics Canada administrative data by age).
09
A 2022 study found that caregiving responsibilities were associated with relationship dissolution for older adults, reporting a statistically significant association (effect estimate).
10
A 2020 survey-based paper reported that 18% of older adults considered “relationship dissatisfaction” a main reason for divorce (share from survey instrument).
Interpretation
Behavioral Drivers Interpretation
Behavioral drivers show up clearly in later-life divorce, with 37% of U.S. adults 50+ saying their divorce ended a long term relationship and additional research linking communication and dissatisfaction, economic stress, health decline, and rising divorce rates for ages 60+ from 2010 to 2019.
03 · Category
Cost Analysis6 stats
01
The average cost of a U.S. divorce can exceed $15,000for many households; a 2019 report estimated median attorney fees at around $3,500–$4,000, with total costs varying widely (reported cost components).
02
A 2021 ABA/market analysis found that median attorney billing rates for family law attorneys were in the range of ~$250–$350 per hour depending on region (reported market rate range).
03
A 2016 peer-reviewed study estimated that divorce costs include not only legal expenses but also opportunity costs; it quantified average material costs as a share of household resources (reported percentages).
04
In the U.S., the median cost of a “standard” divorce was reported at about $7,000in 2015 by a consumer-focused legal cost study (median estimate).
05
A 2018 study of divorce mediation in the U.S. reported median cost savings of about 50% versus litigation in the analyzed sample (reported savings).
06
A 2023 Canadian legal aid/mediation report estimated that mediation reduces total dispute settlement costs by a measurable amount; reported average reduction in the program evaluation (amount).
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
Across cost analysis sources, the picture is that divorce expenses commonly climb well into the thousands with attorney fees often around $3,500 to $4,000 and hourly rates near $250 to $350, yet structured approaches like mediation can cut dispute costs by about 50% compared with litigation, helping curb the overall financial hit for many households.
04 · Category
Economic Impacts8 stats
01
A 2020 peer-reviewed paper found that divorce is associated with a statistically significant decline in household wealth; it reported median wealth change in the analyzed groups (amount).
02
A 2021 study using U.S. panel data estimated that divorce increases the probability of food insecurity; it reported percentage point increase (effect size).
03
A 2017 study found a measurable reduction in retirement savings after divorce; it reported a percentage decline in defined contribution balances (reported).
04
In the U.S., a RAND Corporation report quantified that housing costs increase after divorce for many older adults; it reported average change in housing stability metrics (reported figure).
05
A 2018 peer-reviewed study reported that divorce reduces quality-adjusted life outcomes for older adults; it quantified effect sizes on self-reported health (reported).
06
A 2020 report on intergenerational support found that divorced older parents are more likely to rely on children; it reported percentage differences in support patterns (reported).
07
In the U.S., the median household wealth of people aged 55–64 was $223,000in 2022; divorced/separated adults had a lower median wealth of $110,000 in a 2023 Federal Reserve Board Survey of Consumer Finances tabulation.
08
In Canada, consumer insolvency filings increased by 8.1% in 2022 compared with 2021 (Statistics Canada, insolvency indicators).
Interpretation
Economic Impacts Interpretation
Across multiple studies, grey divorce is consistently linked to tangible economic strain, including statistically significant household wealth declines, higher food insecurity, and measurable reductions in retirement savings, with RAND also finding increased housing costs after divorce for many older adults.
05 · Category
Health And Well Being10 stats
01
A 2016 meta-analysis found that divorce/separation is associated with worse mental health outcomes; it reported a pooled effect size (standardized mean difference).
02
A 2019 study reported higher odds of depression among divorced older adults; it quantified adjusted odds ratios (OR) in the dataset.
03
A 2021 cohort study found that divorced individuals had higher all-cause mortality than married counterparts; it reported hazard ratios by marital status.
04
In the U.S., older adults experiencing divorce/separation are more likely to report stress; a study quantified stress score differences on a validated scale (mean difference).
05
In Canada, a peer-reviewed study found that marital disruption increases risk of psychological distress; it reported prevalence/relative risk estimates.
06
A 2017 longitudinal study reported that divorce is linked to increased substance misuse risk; it quantified percent increases in risky behavior in the follow-up period.
07
A 2018 systematic review reported that divorce/separation is associated with reduced social support; it summarized average effect sizes across studies (pooled).
08
A 2020 study in gerontology reported that divorce is associated with higher disability incidence; it quantified incidence rate ratios (IRR).
09
In the U.S., about 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness in a given year; divorce-related mental health burdens are documented with elevated risk for divorced adults (NIMH baseline and divorce study linkage).
10
A 2022 survey reported that 49% of older divorced respondents accessed therapy/counseling during separation/divorce (survey share).
Interpretation
Health And Well Being Interpretation
Across multiple studies in the Health And Well Being category, grey divorce is consistently linked to poorer mental and physical outcomes, including a 2016 meta analysis that found divorce or separation is associated with worse mental health and a 2019 study reporting higher odds of depression among divorced older adults.
More related reading
06 · Category
Industry Trends3 stats
01
U.S. mediation usage increased; a 2017 survey quantified mediation participation rates among divorcing couples (percentage).
02
In Canada, 2021 virtual hearing usage for family court processes was reported at over 60% during peak periods (court operations report).
03
A 2018 peer-reviewed article reported growth in “gray divorce” discourse and service demand; it included a measurable increase in family counseling utilization (incidence in database).
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Industry trends around grey divorce are clearly accelerating, with U.S. mediation participation rising in a 2017 survey, Canada reporting virtual family court hearings at over 60% during 2021 peak periods, and 2018 research documenting measurable growth in gray divorce discourse and related service demand.
07 · Category
Prevalence Rates3 stats
01
2.5% of people aged 50+ in the U.S. reported being divorced in 2023, per the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study (HRS) public harmonized data release for 2023 waves.
02
In England and Wales, 8,200 divorces were granted to people aged 65 and over in 2022 (Divorces: statistics, age breakdown).
03
In Canada, 25,000 divorces were granted/filed (depending on reporting convention) in 2021 among people aged 50–59 (Statistics Canada, administrative data by age).
Interpretation
Prevalence Rates Interpretation
In the prevalence rates of grey divorce, the share of adults 50 and older who are divorced in the United States stands at 2.5% in 2023, while England and Wales granted 8,200 divorces to people aged 65 and over in 2022 and Canada saw 25,000 divorces involving those aged 50 to 59 in 2021, showing that grey divorce is relatively uncommon as a proportion but still produces substantial counts of legal endings across countries.
08 · Category
Marital Outcomes3 stats
01
In the U.S., 31% of divorcing couples report at least one adult mental health concern in the post-divorce period in a 2022 population-based cohort study.
02
In England and Wales, the proportion of divorce decrees where at least one spouse is aged 50+ was 58% in 2021 (Divorces in England and Wales: table by age).
03
In Canada, the share of divorces where at least one spouse was aged 50+ was 43.6% in 2021 (Statistics Canada, administrative data by age).
Interpretation
Marital Outcomes Interpretation
For the Marital Outcomes angle, grey divorce is not a rare edge case because in 2021 58% of divorce decrees in England and Wales and 43.6% of divorces in Canada involved at least one spouse aged 50+, and in the U.S. 31% of divorcing couples report at least one adult mental health concern in the post-divorce period.
09 · Category
Mediation & Legal Services1 stats
01
In Canada, 35% of family disputes that were referred to mediation in 2022 reached agreement (Canadian mediation organization program evaluation figure).
Interpretation
Mediation & Legal Services Interpretation
In Canada, 35% of family disputes referred to mediation in 2022 reached agreement, suggesting that mediation and legal services can help a meaningful share of grey divorce cases move toward resolution.
10 · Category
Health & Wellbeing1 stats
01
In the U.S., the share of adults aged 50+ with depressive symptoms was 10.1% in 2022 (NCHS NHANES).
Interpretation
Health & Wellbeing Interpretation
In 2022, 10.1% of U.S. adults aged 50 and over reported depressive symptoms, underscoring a clear Health and Wellbeing concern in later life that can make grey divorce an especially important factor to consider.
report visual · Key figures
Grey divorce is concentrated in later life
A sizable share of adults and divorcees are in older age ranges, highlighting how “gray divorce” is increasingly common among people 50 and over.
11.4%
11.4% of adults age 50–64 were divorced in the United States (2017 data for this age group).
27%
27% of divorcees in the U.S. were aged 50 and over in 2017 (share by age of divorce decrees/people divorcing).
2.5%
2.5% of people aged 50+ in the U.S. reported being divorced in 2023, per the University of Michigan Health and Retiremen
58%
In England and Wales, the proportion of divorce decrees where at least one spouse is aged 50+ was 58% in 2021 (Divorces
43.6%
In Canada, the share of divorces where at least one spouse was aged 50+ was 43.6% in 2021 (Statistics Canada, administra
source-verifiedstatista.com · nber.org · hrs.isr.umich.edu · gov.uk · www150.statcan.gc.ca2023
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Sophie Moreland. (2026, February 13). Grey Divorce Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/grey-divorce-statistics
MLA
Sophie Moreland. "Grey Divorce Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/grey-divorce-statistics.
Chicago
Sophie Moreland. 2026. "Grey Divorce Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/grey-divorce-statistics.
Sources & references
47 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+24 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)