What the Numbers Really Show
We all know someone who’s been through a divorce. Maybe it’s a friend, a sibling, or you. But what do the numbers say? Is divorce actually as common as it seems — or are things changing?
If you’ve ever wondered about divorce rates in Canada, here’s a closer look at the data from Statistics Canada, what’s shifting, and why it matters.
This isn’t legal advice — just insight and context.
What the Latest Stats Say
According to Statistics Canada, there were 42,933 divorces in 2020 — the lowest number since 1973. That’s down from 56,937 in 2019, a drop of about 25%.
Some of that is due to pandemic-related court closures, but the overall trend has been downward since the early 1990s. Canada’s refined divorce rate (which looks at the number of divorces per 1,000 married people) fell from 12.7 in 1991 to 5.6 in 2020.
Visualizing the Trend
Here’s a chart showing how the refined divorce rate in Canada has changed from 1991 to 2020:
As you can see, the decline has been steady, with an extra dip in 2020 due to COVID disruptions.
Why Divorce Rates Are Dropping
Here are some of the biggest reasons behind the decline:
- People are marrying later (or not at all).
- Common-law relationships are increasingly common — and they aren’t tracked in divorce stats.
- Older married couples are staying together more than younger ones did in the past.
- Younger people who do marry seem less likely to divorce than their parents’ generation.
All of these factors contribute to the slower pace of formal divorces.
Who’s Most Likely to Divorce?
According to data from 2016–2020:
- Divorce rates peak in the 40–44 age range.
- Divorce is least common among people under 25 and those over 50 (though “grey divorce” is rising).
- Women under 35 are more likely to file than men.
- Men over 50 have slightly higher divorce rates than women in the same age group.
(Source: Statistics Canada Table 39-10-0041-01)
Does Divorce Vary by Province?
Yes — Canada isn’t one-size-fits-all.
For example:
- Yukon had the highest divorce rate between 2016 and 2020, averaging 12.8 per 1,000 married people.
- Nunavut had the lowest, around 2.4 per 1,000.
- Ontario is close to the national average, with 2020’s rate near 5.6.
(Source: StatCan Table 39-10-0040-01)
Cultural and economic differences across provinces play a big role in these numbers.
How Does Canada Compare to Other Countries?
Globally, Canada’s crude divorce rate (2.1 per 1,000 people) ranks in the mid-range:
- It’s lower than the U.S., where divorce rates remain higher overall.
- It’s higher than some European countries, like Italy or Spain, where divorce is less culturally normalized.
Still, about 40% of Canadian marriages end in divorce — which lines up with averages across much of the Western world.
(Source: OECD Family Database)
Why These Numbers Matter
- They tell us that divorce is still common, but less so than before.
- They show that younger generations may be more intentional about marriage — or avoiding it altogether.
- They give us a lens into how culture, gender, and age shape family life across the country.
FAQs – Divorce Rates in Canada
Q: Why was 2020 such a low year for divorce?
Because of the pandemic, many courts paused family proceedings. Also, the one-year separation rule meant fewer filings that year.
Q: What’s the “refined divorce rate”?
It’s the number of divorces per 1,000 married people — giving a more accurate picture than just the raw count.
Q: Are common-law breakups included in these numbers?
No. Only legal divorces (from formal marriages) are counted in the data.
Q: Is divorce among older adults increasing?
Yes — especially those over 50, a trend often called “grey divorce.”
Q: Is Canada’s divorce rate high or low?
Compared to the global average, it’s moderate. It has dropped significantly over the past three decades.
Bottom Line: The Numbers Are Just Part of the Story
Whether you’re in a long-term marriage or thinking about separation, understanding divorce rates in Canada can put your experience into a broader context. You’re not alone — but you’re also not a statistic.
Behind every number is a person figuring things out, trying to heal, and hopefully moving toward something better.
This article provides general information, not legal advice. Contact us today if you want to speak to a divorce lawyer.
Useful Links:
Family court website
Government website
Child support agreements
Parenting arrangements
Spousal support
Dividing property
Contact Us
Pricing
Free Consultation