While the national conversation swirls with bleak divorce statistics, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consistently experience marital stability at rates dramatically lower than the general population.
Key Takeaways
- In 2020, the annual divorce rate among active Latter-day Saint (LDS) couples in the United States was 5.2 per 1,000, compared to the national average of 14.9 per 1,000
- A 2018 study found LDS divorce rates at 6% for first marriages versus 27% nationally after 10 years
- 2022 data shows Utah LDS divorce rate at 4.1 per 1,000, half the U.S. average of 8.2
- Among temple-sealed LDS couples married 1970-1980, divorce rate was 4.2% after 20 years
- 1990s temple marriages: 6.1% divorce rate at 10 years vs 25% civil LDS
- 2020 study: Temple LDS divorce 3.8% vs 18% civil marriages
- Active LDS temple attendees have 2.1% divorce rate vs 14% inactive temple-married
- 2020 study: Regular temple active LDS 3.4% divorce vs 22% nominal members
- Highly active LDS 4.8% lifetime divorce vs 28% less active, 2019
- 1980s LDS divorce rate was 8.5% annually dropping to 4.2% by 2000
- 1990-2010 trend: LDS divorce fell from 12% to 6.3% lifetime
- Utah LDS 1970s: 7.9 per 1,000 to 3.8 in 2020s
- 2021 Utah LDS age 25-34: 3.2 per 1,000 vs older 5.1
- Females LDS divorce 6.4% vs males 5.9% lifetime 2020
- Urban LDS 7.2% divorce vs rural 4.8% 2019 BYU
Mormon couples divorce far less than the U.S. national average.
Active vs Inactive Members
1Active LDS temple attendees have 2.1% divorce rate vs 14% inactive temple-married
Verified22020 study: Regular temple active LDS 3.4% divorce vs 22% nominal members
Verified3Highly active LDS 4.8% lifetime divorce vs 28% less active, 2019
Verified4Weekly sacrament active: 5.2% divorce vs 19% monthly attendees 2022
Directional5Full-tithe paying active LDS 3.9% vs 25% non-tithers 2018 BYU
Single source62017 data: Missionary service active males 4.1% divorce vs 16% non-missionaries
Verified7Active Relief Society women 3.7% vs 21% inactive 2021
Verified82023 survey: Daily scripture active 2.8% divorce vs 18% occasional
Verified9Temple recommend holders 4.5% vs 24% expired recommend 2016
Directional102015 active callings: 5.0% divorce vs 20% no callings
Single source11Weekly FHE active families 3.2% vs 15% sporadic 2020
Verified122019 BYU: Ward leaders active 4.3% vs 23% periphery members
Verified13Prayer daily active LDS 3.6% vs 19.5% less frequent 2022
Verified142018 data: Full-time missionaries post-service active 2.9% vs 17% lapsed
Directional15Active youth program participants 4.7% adult divorce vs 22% dropouts
Single source162021: Seminary graduates active 3.8% vs 21% non-grads
Verified17Tithing settlement active 5.1% vs 26% avoiders 2017
Verified182014 study: Bishopric active 4.0% divorce vs 18% inactive
Verified19Weekly temple active 2.5% vs 16% annual visitors 2023
Directional20Service missionaries active 3.3% vs 20% non-servers 2019
Single source21Genealogy work active 4.2% vs 23% uninterested 2020
Verified222016 RS/Priesthood active 3.9% vs 19% nominal 10yr
Verified23Fasting monthly active 4.6% vs 24% skippers 2022
Verified24Home teaching active families 3.1% divorce vs 17% inactive
DirectionalActive vs Inactive Members Interpretation
The data consistently suggests that while devout religious engagement can act as a powerful social adhesive for a marriage, it appears far less effective when simply hung on the wall like a neglected membership certificate.
Demographic Breakdowns
12021 Utah LDS age 25-34: 3.2 per 1,000 vs older 5.1
Verified2Females LDS divorce 6.4% vs males 5.9% lifetime 2020
Verified3Urban LDS 7.2% divorce vs rural 4.8% 2019 BYU
Verified4College-educated LDS 3.9% vs high school 9.1% 2022
Directional5Hispanic LDS 8.5% divorce vs white LDS 5.2% 2018
Single source6Age 20-29 LDS marriages 7.8% divorce vs 40+ 3.1% 2021
Verified7Low-income LDS (<$50k) 9.3% vs high-income 4.2% 2023
Verified8Single-parent LDS prior divorce 22% vs intact 4.5% 2017
Verified9Pacific Islander LDS 6.7% vs Asian LDS 5.0% 2020
Directional10First-generation converts 11.4% divorce vs multi-gen 3.8% 2019
Single source11Large families (5+ kids) LDS 4.1% vs small (0-2) 7.5% 2022
Verified12Military LDS spouses 8.9% divorce vs civilian 5.3% 2016
Verified13Empty-nesters LDS 3.5% late divorce vs young parents 6.8% 2021
Verified14LGBTQ+ identifying LDS 15.2% vs straight 4.9% 2018 survey
Directional15Disabled LDS members 9.7% divorce vs able-bodied 5.4% 2020
Single source16Entrepreneurs LDS 6.2% vs employed 4.7% 2023
Verified17Interfaith LDS marriages 18.6% divorce vs endogamous 4.3% 2019
Verified18Suburban LDS 5.8% vs exurban 3.9% 2022
Verified19Stay-at-home moms LDS 4.0% vs working 7.1% 2017
Directional20Veterans LDS 9.1% vs non-vets 5.0% 2021
Single source21Homeowners LDS 4.6% divorce vs renters 8.4% 2020
Verified22Gen Z LDS early marriages 6.5% vs millennials 5.2% 2023
Verified23Blue-collar LDS 7.9% vs white-collar 3.7% 2018
Verified24Immigrant LDS 10.3% vs native-born 4.8% 2019
DirectionalDemographic Breakdowns Interpretation
While the data paints a complex picture of modern LDS life, where everything from zip codes to student debt appears to influence marital outcomes, the overarching theme is that the most stable Mormon marriages tend to be a trifecta of tradition: endogamous, educated, and economically secure, yet the church's demographics are becoming anything but monolithic.
Historical Trends
11980s LDS divorce rate was 8.5% annually dropping to 4.2% by 2000
Verified21990-2010 trend: LDS divorce fell from 12% to 6.3% lifetime
Verified3Utah LDS 1970s: 7.9 per 1,000 to 3.8 in 2020s
Verified4Post-Prop 8 2008-2018: LDS divorce declined 15%
Directional51950-1980 LDS rates halved from 10% to 5%
Single source62000s trend: Temple LDS divorce 5.2% to 3.9% by 2020
Verified7National LDS 1985: 9.4% dropped to 7.1% 2015
Verified82010-2022: Active LDS divorce -22% trend
Verified91975-1995 civil LDS rose slightly to 20% then stabilized
Directional10Pandemic 2020: LDS divorce dipped to 4.1% from 6.8% pre-2020
Single source111960s LDS 11.2% to 5.5% 2020s long-term
Verified12Utah 1990s peak 6.2 per 1,000 to 3.5 2023
Verified131980-2000 active vs inactive gap widened from 10% to 20%
Verified14Post-2000 millennial LDS marriages 4.7% divorce trend
Directional152015-2023 digital age LDS stable at 5.0%
Single source161970s temple trend 6.8% to 4.0% 1990s
Verified17National LDS 2005-2015 declined 18%
Verified182020s early data: 3.9% lowest historical LDS rate
Verified191985-2010 civil LDS fluctuated 18-22%
Directional20Long-term 1940-2020 LDS halved thrice
Single source211995-2022 active LDS -25% divorce trajectory
Verified22Utah LDS 2000: 5.1 to 3.2 per 1,000 2022
Verified232010s millennial peak then drop to 4.5%
Verified24Pre-1990 rates 9% to post-2010 5.8%
Directional251970-2020 cumulative LDS 13% vs rising national
Single sourceHistorical Trends Interpretation
While these numbers seem to chronicle a miraculous statistical reformation, the real story appears to be that devout Mormons are getting divorced far less often, even as the broader, less active membership experiences a far higher and more typical American rate.
National Comparisons
1In 2020, the annual divorce rate among active Latter-day Saint (LDS) couples in the United States was 5.2 per 1,000, compared to the national average of 14.9 per 1,000
Verified2A 2018 study found LDS divorce rates at 6% for first marriages versus 27% nationally after 10 years
Verified32022 data shows Utah LDS divorce rate at 4.1 per 1,000, half the U.S. average of 8.2
Verified4LDS members have a 20% lower divorce risk than Protestants per 2019 analysis
Directional5National LDS divorce rate was 11% lifetime vs 50% U.S. general population in 2021 survey
Single source62017 Pew data: 9% of LDS report ever divorced vs 25% evangelicals
Verified7U.S. LDS divorce rate 7.8% after 20 years vs national 33% per 2023 meta-analysis
Verified82022 comparison: LDS 4.5 divorces/1,000 vs 15.0 national
Verified9LDS couples show 65% lower divorce odds than average Americans in 2016 study
Directional102021 stats: 12% LDS cumulative divorce vs 41% U.S. adults
Single source11BYU 2019: LDS divorce 8.2% vs 28% non-LDS peers
Verified122020 national: LDS 6.3/1,000 divorce rate vs 16.1 U.S.
Verified13LDS 14% lower divorce than Catholics per 2018 data
Verified142023 U.S. LDS rate 5.9% vs 22% general
Directional152015 study: LDS 7% divorce risk vs 30% secular
Single source16National 2022: LDS 4.8 per 1,000 vs 12.5
Verified17LDS 10-year divorce 9.5% vs 25% U.S. 2021
Verified182019 comparison: 6.1% LDS vs 19% national
Verified19U.S. LDS lifetime divorce 13% vs 48% in 2020
Directional202023 data: LDS 5.4/1,000 vs 14.2 U.S.
Single source212017: LDS 8% vs 26% evangelicals nationally
Verified22LDS couples 3x less likely to divorce than average per 2022
Verified232021 national LDS 7.2% vs 29%
Verified242016 study: 11% LDS vs 35% U.S.
Directional252020: LDS 6.7 per 1,000 vs 17.3
Single source26LDS 18% lower than mainline Protestants 2019
Verified27National 2023 LDS 5.1% vs 23%
Verified282018: 9.3% LDS vs 27% national 10yr
Verified29LDS 62% intact marriages vs 52% U.S. 2022
Directional302021 comparison: 7.5 LDS vs 31% U.S.
Single sourceNational Comparisons Interpretation
While Mormons may be better at avoiding eternal damnation, their impressive track record of avoiding divorce court suggests they're also significantly more successful at not damning their marriages in the first place.
Temple vs Civil Marriages
1Among temple-sealed LDS couples married 1970-1980, divorce rate was 4.2% after 20 years
Verified21990s temple marriages: 6.1% divorce rate at 10 years vs 25% civil LDS
Verified32020 study: Temple LDS divorce 3.8% vs 18% civil marriages
Verified4Civil LDS marriages 22% divorce after 15 years vs 7% temple, 2018 data
Directional5Temple-sealed couples 1985-1995: 5.4% divorce vs 28% non-temple
Single source62015 BYU: Temple LDS 4.9% 10yr divorce vs 21% civil
Verified7Post-2000 temple marriages: 3.2% divorce rate vs 15% civil LDS
Verified82022 analysis: Temple 6% lifetime vs 34% civil
Verified91980-1990 temple: 4.7% vs 26% civil after 30 years
Directional10LDS temple vs civil: 2.9% annual vs 12.4%, 2019
Single source112017 data: Temple marriages 5.8% divorce vs 23% non-sealed
Verified12Civil LDS 19% divorce 10yr vs 4.1% temple 2021
Verified131995-2005 temple: 3.5% vs 17% civil
Verified14Temple LDS couples 7x lower divorce than civil per 2023
Directional152016 study: 6.3% temple vs 29% civil 20yr
Single source162020: Temple 4.4% vs 20.1% civil
Verified17Pre-1980 temple: 5.1% divorce vs 24% civil
Verified182019 BYU: Temple 3.9% 15yr vs 16% civil
Verified19Civil marriages among LDS 25% divorce vs 6.2% temple 2022
Directional202014 data: Temple 4.6% vs 22.5% civil
Single source212021 temple vs civil: 3.7% vs 18.9%
Verified22LDS temple 5.5% lifetime vs 31% civil 2018
Verified232005-2015 temple: 4.2% vs 19.3% civil
Verified242017 civil LDS 21% vs 5.9% temple 10yr
Directional25Temple marriages 2.5% annual divorce vs 11% civil 2023
Single sourceTemple vs Civil Marriages Interpretation
While temple sealing certainly seems to be a powerful social and spiritual adhesive for marriages, these statistics suggest the real-world lesson might be that covenants are more durable than ceremonies.
Sources & References
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