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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Aine Fox and Ian Jones

Couples stay married longer because they can’t afford to get divorced, data shows

Couples in England and Wales are remaining married for longer periods before separating, fresh figures show.

The average length of a marriage ending in divorce reached a record high of 13 years in 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This marks the longest duration since records began in 1963, rising from a record low of 8.9 years recorded in 1985.

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