This translates to an annual divorce rate of 5.6 divorces per 1,000 married people, the lowest observed in decades. In other words, roughly 0.56% of married Canadians divorced in 2020, compared to about 1.27% at the peak in 1991. Over the long term, it is estimated that around 38 – 40% of Canadian marriages will end in divorce under current trends.
Below, we break down what these numbers mean, historical trends, and key factors behind Canada’s changing divorce rates.
Key Takeaways
- Record-Low Divorce Rate: Canada’s divorce rate hit a 50-year low in 2020, with 5.6 divorces per 1,000 married persons. This reflects a steady decline since the early 1990s.
- Fewer Marriages, Fewer Divorces: The decline is partly because fewer people are getting married today, or marrying later, often choosing common-law relationships. With fewer marriages, there are proportionally fewer divorces.
- Lifetime Divorce Risk ~40%: Despite lower annual rates, the projected lifetime probability of divorce remains about 40% in Canada – roughly two in five marriages are expected to end before the 50th anniversary.
- Regional & Age Variations: Divorce rates vary by region and age. For example, historically Alberta and Yukon see higher rates, while Newfoundland and Labrador and Nunavut see lower rates. Older couples (50+) now make up a growing share of divorces as younger-age divorce rates decline.
Current Divorce Rate in Canada
Canada’s current divorce rate is historically low. In 2020, the crude divorce rate (divorces per 1,000 total population) was about 1.1 per 1,000 people, and 5.6 per 1,000 married people. The latter figure – 5.6 divorces per 1,000 married – is the most commonly cited rate and marked the lowest divorce rate since 1973 in Canada. This was a significant decline from the rate in 1991, which was 12.7 per 1,000 married persons at its peak.
To put it in perspective, about 42,933 couples divorced in 2020 (versus nearly 98,000 divorces in 1987 right after no-fault divorce was liberalized). By 2019, divorces had already trended down to ~56,000 annually, and then dropped a further 25% in 2020. Pandemic-related court slowdowns contributed to the especially low 2020 figure, but it also continued a longer downward trend. Importantly, the low annual divorce rate doesn’t necessarily mean marriages are more stable – it partly reflects that fewer Canadians are marrying to begin with, as discussed later.
It’s also insightful to look at how many Canadians in total are divorced. As of 2021, about 2.74 million Canadians aged 15 and over were divorced and not remarried. This total has been creeping up slowly each year – for instance, it was about 2.71 million in 2020 and 1.88 million back in 2000. By 2022, the figure reached roughly 2.78 million divorced individuals in Canada. This shows that while the rate of divorce each year is lower, the overall number of divorced people in society has still grown over decades (due to population growth and past high divorce periods).
Another way to understand “divorce rate” is the percentage of marriages expected to end in divorce over time. Canada’s lifetime divorce risk has hovered around 40% in recent years. In other words, for every 10 marriages, approximately 4 may eventually end in divorce. This proportion is lower than the oft-cited “50%” figure (which was never quite true in Canada), and it has edged downward from the highs of the 1980s-1990s. But a substantial minority of marriages still do not last a lifetime.
Divorce Rate Trends Over Time
Over the past half-century, Canada’s divorce rate has followed a boom-and-bust trajectory largely shaped by legal reforms and social attitudes. Divorce was relatively rare before the late 1960s, but reforms in 1968 (Canada’s first federal Divorce Act) made divorce more accessible nationwide. This led to a surge in divorces through the 1970s. Another spike occurred after 1986, when “no-fault” divorce was introduced (allowing couples to divorce after one year of separation without blaming misconduct). Following the 1986 Divorce Act amendments, divorce filings almost tripled within a few years as many couples took advantage of the easier process.
The peak came in the late 1980s to early 1990s – for example, 1991 saw a divorce rate of 12.7 per 1,000 married people, the highest on record. Around that time nearly 79,000 divorces occurred in a single year. However, since the early 1990s, divorce rates have declined notably. By 2019, the rate was down to 7.5 per 1,000 married, and then down again to 5.6 in 2020.
Why the steady decline? A major factor is the changing composition of those who marry. The married population in Canada is aging – and divorce rates are lower among older couples. In 2020, for instance, there were only about 5.2 divorces per 1,000 married persons aged 50 – 64, compared to 8.5 per 1,000 among younger couples aged 15 – 34. As the large Baby Boomer cohort aged (and divorce is less common in later life), the overall rate fell.
At the same time, younger generations have been delaying or forgoing marriage. Many opt for common-law relationships (cohabitation without formal marriage), which are not counted in divorce statistics if they break up. In 2021, over 22% of Canadian couples were in common-law unions rather than marriages. The rise of common-law relationships means fewer legal marriages to potentially end in divorce, mechanically lowering the divorce rate. Sociologists also note that those who do marry today tend to be slightly older and often more financially secure, which can contribute to more stable unions.
Additionally, societal attitudes have shifted. Divorce carries much less stigma now than decades ago, so couples are more thoughtful about entering marriage in the first place. Some experts suggest that people who marry today are a more “selective” group, resulting in relatively stronger marriages on average – another possible reason fewer marriages end in divorce now than in the 1970s. In summary, the drop in Canada’s divorce rate is less about marriages suddenly becoming blissful, and more about who is (or isn’t) getting married and when.
Regional Differences in Divorce Rates
Divorce rates vary across Canada’s provinces and territories, although the downward trend is common nationwide. Traditionally, western provinces and the far north have shown higher divorce rates than the national average, while some Atlantic provinces and Quebec have been lower. For example, over the period 2016 – 2020, Alberta and Yukon had among the highest divorce rates, whereas Newfoundland and Labrador and Nunavut had the lowest. These differences have narrowed over time, but they still exist due to local cultural, economic, and demographic factors.
Focusing on Ontario (the province of Richmond Hill): Ontario’s divorce rate is close to the national average. In fact, Statistics Canada data indicate that Ontario saw about 7.2 divorces per 1,000 married persons in recent years (2016 – 2020), down from around 12.2 in the early 1990s. This mirrors Canada’s overall decline. Notably, Ontario experienced the largest drop in number of divorces in 2020 – a 36% decline from 2019, larger than any other province. This was largely due to COVID-19 disruptions in court services, as Ontario’s busy courts delayed many divorce proceedings that year. Other provinces saw 2020 divorce declines ranging from about 11% to 22%.
It’s important to remember that a lower provincial divorce rate doesn’t necessarily mean happier couples; it can also reflect more common-law partnerships or differing age distributions. For instance, Quebec has long had one of the lowest divorce rates among married couples, but it also has the highest rate of common-law unions (so fewer people marry in the first place). Meanwhile, Alberta’s slightly higher-than-average divorce rate may partly relate to its younger population and economic factors like interprovincial migration and job market stress.
Overall, no region of Canada has been immune to the broader decline in divorce. All provinces and territories have lower divorce rates today than they did a few decades ago. But the exact figures can vary: couples in some regions face different stresses (economic, cultural, etc.) which can influence marriage stability.
Divorce Rates by Age
The profile of who is getting divorced in Canada has shifted. Divorce by Age: So-called “grey divorces” – divorces involving couples over 50 – have become more common in absolute terms, even as the overall rate drops. Between 1980 and 2020, the average age at divorce rose significantly.
The average age at marriage increased from about 23.7 years in 1980 to 30.7 years by 2020, and accordingly people are divorcing later in life. Today, a growing proportion of divorces involve couples married 20+ or 30+ years, whereas divorces among couples in their 20s or 30s have decreased. In fact, divorces among those under age 50 have declined the most rapidly in recent years, while divorce rates for those over 50 have plateaued or declined only slightly. As a result, the median duration of marriages at divorce has lengthened (it was about 13 years as of 2020).
Divorce Rates by Gender
Historically, women and men have roughly similar divorce rates, but there are a few nuances. In 2017, Canadian women had a slightly higher divorce rate (about 8.6 per 1,000 married women versus 8.4 for men). This aligns with research observing that wives initiate divorce slightly more often in Canada. Younger women (under 20) had lower absolute divorce numbers, but in the 20 – 34 age bracket, women’s divorce rate was a bit higher than men’s. Conversely, among divorcees over age 50, men’s rates can be equal or higher, partly because men in that age group might be more likely to remarry and potentially divorce again.
The key takeaway is that both men and women are marrying later and divorcing later on average. The gender gap in divorce is small, but studies do suggest differences in who initiates divorce – some surveys show about 60 – 70% of divorces are initiated by wives. Regardless, the overall downward trend in divorce affects both sexes similarly.
Why Are Divorce Rates Lower Now?
Several interconnected factors are responsible for Canada’s declining divorce rates:
- Fewer & Later Marriages: As noted, Canadians are more frequently choosing common-law partnerships, or marrying at an older age if they do marry. Couples who marry later (30s instead of early 20s) tend to have a lower risk of splitting up. With many young adults postponing marriage, the pool of marriages prone to early divorce has shrunk. Simply put, marriage is becoming rarer, and those who do wed often have more maturity and stability, which can lead to fewer divorces.
- Changing Social Norms: Divorce has become socially acceptable, which paradoxically might lower the rate. In previous generations, some couples married due to societal pressure and later found themselves incompatible, contributing to higher divorce rates in the 1980s. Today, there is less stigma in remaining single or cohabiting, so people are more selective about entering marriage. Those who aren’t ready for commitment often don’t marry at all, rather than marrying and later divorcing. Meanwhile, those in unhappy marriages now feel freer to separate earlier (avoiding long, drawn-out unhealthy marriages). These norm shifts mean marriages today may on average be more resilient, albeit fewer in number.
- Economic Factors: Economic stability can influence marital stability. Tough economic times (job loss, debt, housing costs) can strain marriages and contribute to breakups. Regions with economic hardships sometimes see upticks in divorce. Conversely, a generally strong economy might reduce financial stress at home. That said, the overall long-term decline suggests economics are secondary to the social shifts above. Notably, some analysts have speculated whether the high cost of living (e.g. housing in big cities) dissuades younger couples from divorcing because maintaining two separate households is increasingly expensive. Economic ups and downs do play a role, but they affect short-term fluctuations in divorce more than the long-term trend.
- Legal Changes: Canada’s no-fault divorce laws and streamlined processes since 1986 made divorces easier to obtain, which initially caused a surge in late-80s divorces. Since then, there haven’t been radical legal changes to spike divorce again. One legal trend actually helping lower conflict divorces is the rise of joint divorce applications – by 2020, nearly one-third of divorces were filed jointly by both spouses. Joint applications can make the process more amicable and perhaps quicker, but they don’t necessarily affect the rate of divorce; they just reflect that divorcing couples today may cooperate more in ending the marriage.
- Aging Population: As mentioned, an older population means a larger share of married couples are older and less likely to divorce. Canada’s population age structure is a fundamental demographic reason for fewer divorces per capita now versus 30 years ago. An aging society naturally has more widows/widowers and fewer divorcing young couples, lowering the overall divorce metric.
In summary, the decline in divorce rates is a complex story – it doesn’t mean that all marriages are suddenly happier or more stable. It means fewer people are entering into marriage hastily, and those who do may have a better chance of making it last, combined with demographic shifts. As one family institute report put it, the trends “should not be equated with elimination of marital conflict” – rather, they reflect changing patterns of union formation.
Common Reasons for Divorce in Canada
While the rate of divorce has changed, the reasons couples divorce are often consistent. Under Canadian law, the vast majority of divorces are granted on a “no-fault” basis (usually meaning the spouses have lived apart for at least one year). In fact, about 95% of divorces cite a one-year separation as the ground, with only a small minority citing adultery or cruelty. This indicates that irreconcilable differences and drifting apart are the primary immediate reasons.
Looking at underlying causes, surveys and studies highlight a few common triggers: money problems are frequently cited as the number one cause of marital breakdown. In one national poll, 68% of respondents said financial issues contributed to their divorce, making it the top factor. The second-leading cause was infidelity (affairs), cited by roughly 60% of divorced individuals. Other causes included fundamental incompatibility or constant conflict, often manifested as arguments over family decisions (noted by ~36%). Issues like mental or physical abuse, addictions, and lack of communication also appear in many divorce cases (though these are harder to quantify).
It’s worth noting that these factors often interplay. For example, financial stress can lead to fights that erode a relationship; infidelity might be a symptom of underlying unhappiness. Importantly, none of these personal reasons show up in “divorce rate” statistics directly, but they remain realities that family lawyers see in their cases daily. Understanding the common causes of divorce can help couples seek support early – whether through counseling, financial planning, or legal advice – to hopefully resolve issues before they lead to a separation.
Bottom Line
Canada’s divorce rate is at historic lows, telling a story of social change: Canadians are marrying less frequently, later in life, and approaching marriage more cautiously. Consequently, a smaller fraction of the population is divorcing each year. However, for those individuals and families going through divorce, the statistics are only part of the picture. Divorce is a very personal experience, and even with a declining national rate, hundreds of Canadians file for divorce every week. Each case comes with its own legal and emotional challenges.
If you are considering a divorce or have questions about the process, it’s wise to consult with a legal professional. Sutton Law is a family law firm based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, with the expertise to guide you through separation and divorce proceedings. When you work with an experienced divorce lawyer from our team, you gain a trusted advocate who understands the nuances of Canadian family law. We stay up-to-date on divorce trends and legal reforms across the country, so we can provide informed, compassionate advice tailored to your situation. Having the right lawyer can make a significant difference in navigating issues like division of property, child custody, support payments, and more.
While the divorce rate in Canada may be lower today, the need for solid legal guidance and support for those who do divorce is as important as ever. If you need advice on divorce or separation, feel free to contact Sutton Law for a confidential consultation. We’re here to help you understand your rights and options under Canadian law, and to advocate for your best interests every step of the way.