By Akanni Dorcas

A country’s divorce rate depends on many things, like religious beliefs, divorce laws, and support for divorced people. In some areas, cultural traditions also affect divorce rates. For example, in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, women may avoid divorce because their families would have to repay the “bride price” (dowry) given before marriage. But as views on marriage change, gender roles shift, and economies evolve, divorce rates are rising worldwide.

Here’s a look at the top 10 countries with the highest divorce rates:

1. Maldives – 5.5 per 1,000
The Maldives, an island paradise, has held the title for the world’s highest divorce rate for years. In 2002, it even entered the Guinness Book of World Records with a staggering rate of 10.97 divorces per 1,000 people. Factors include a simple and affordable divorce process, increased financial independence for women, and an evolving societal acceptance that has reduced the stigma around divorce.

2. Kazakhstan – 4.6 per 1,000
Divorce in Kazakhstan is increasingly common, often due to family interference, shifting moral attitudes, and traditional gender roles. Though marriage remains highly valued, the divorce process here is fairly accessible. Studies indicate that around 82.5% of young Kazakhs still envision married lives.

3. Guam – 4.3 per 1,000
Despite its small population, Guam has one of the highest divorce rates globally. One reason is the relaxed residency requirement, which makes it an attractive option for U.S. couples seeking divorce. With streamlined divorce laws, couples can file for divorce after only one week of residence, making it relatively easy for people both on and off the island to dissolve their marriages.

4. Russia – 3.9 per 1,000
Russia’s high divorce rate stems from issues like alcoholism, financial difficulties, and infidelity. Following the fall of the Soviet Union, economic instability led to strain in marriages. Additionally, Russia’s no-fault divorce laws make it relatively easy for couples to divorce, allowing them to file without providing specific reasons or proving fault.

5. Moldova – 3.8 per 1,000
In Moldova, early marriages, economic hardship, and cultural challenges lead to a high divorce rate. About 12% of girls in Moldova are married before age 18, often resulting in unions that struggle under financial and emotional pressure. The country’s traditional “macho” culture has also contributed to infidelity and domestic issues, pushing more couples toward divorce.

6. Belarus – 3.7 per 1,000
Divorce in Belarus is frequent, with factors like alcoholism, unemployment, and poverty adding stress to marriages. Belarusian culture is known for its tolerance of light drinking, which sometimes leads to alcoholism and relationship challenges. The divorce process is relatively easy, with consensual divorces typically approved within a month or two.

7. China – 3.2 per 1,000
In China, divorce has become more common due to evolving social norms, financial independence for women, and work-related separations that lead couples to live in different cities. China’s massive population and rapid modernisation have brought new pressures on marriages, while a shift in views towards more open relationships has further contributed to the increase in divorces.

8. Aruba – 2.9 per 1,000
On the Caribbean island of Aruba, changing marital patterns and lower education levels contribute to a rising divorce rate. The island’s laws allow for a relatively quick divorce, reducing the separation period from three years to one in some cases. A large portion of divorced people in Aruba have only basic education, which is associated with higher divorce rates.

9. Lithuania – 2.8 per 1,000
In Lithuania, divorce is common, especially in rural areas, where economic instability and high unemployment contribute to marriage strain. The ease of the legal process also plays a role—while fault-based divorces can take up to three years, consensual divorces may be finalised within three months. Modern attitudes toward divorce mean that couples face little societal pressure to stay together.

10. Dominican Republic – 2.7 per 1,000
The Dominican Republic’s high divorce rate is driven by early marriages, with 31% of girls married before age 18. The country’s “machismo” culture encourages infidelity, which often leads to divorce. Other stressors, like poverty and unemployment, compound the issue with laws allowing for straightforward divorce processes under mutual consent or incompatibility grounds.