For decades, the narrative around divorce was centered on young couples — hasty decisions, new parenthood and financial instability. Today, that story has fundamentally changed. While divorce rates for those under 45 have been steadily declining, a quieter, more profound demographic shift has occurred: the dramatic rise of "gray divorce."
The rate of gray divorce, divorces among adults aged 50 and older, has more than doubled since 1990, making older adulthood the only demographic experiencing a surge in marital dissolution. In 1990, 8% of all persons divorcing were aged 50 or older; the share has grown to nearly 40%, according to a 2024 study
