Divorce Rate in Canada: Latest Statistics, Percentages & Causes

Divorce Rate in Canada: Latest Statistics, Percentages & Causes

The divorce rate in Canada is more than just a statistic or a number on a chart. It’s a reflection of people, relationships and life events that are both legally and emotionally significant.

At GTA Divorce Lawyers, we know these stories up close,  the heartbreaking, the peaceful and surprisingly, the civil. So we take a closer look at what the Canadian divorce rate means: not just the numbers but what’s really changing in our society.

So let’s look at all the latest figures on divorce stats in Canada, the percentage of divorce in Canada and most importantly, the real reasons why.

Understanding Divorce in Canada: The Legal & Social Context

First, to really understand what divorce in Canada means, it helps to understand a little about how divorce works in Canada.

The Legal Framework: 

Divorce is a federal matter in Canada. It’s governed by the Divorce Act (Canada). This means only legal marriages qualify for a divorce under the Act. Common-law couples may separate but are not “divorced” under this law.

Section 8(2) of the Divorce Act states that the only ground for divorce is the breakdown of marriage, proven by 1 of 3 circumstances:

• Living separate and apart for at least one year,

• Adultery, or

• Physical or Mental Cruelty.

In practice, nearly all divorces are granted on the basis of one year of separation.

Provinces handle family law systems (e.g., Ontario’s Family Law Act), which cover procedures, support, custody, and property issues. 

The Social Context: 

Divorce statistics only count couples who make it official in court. Private separations aren’t included, no matter how many occur. 

With common-law relationships now representing nearly 23% of all Canadian couples (StatCan, 2021), many relationship breakdowns occur outside the legal definition of “divorce.”

When we discuss percentages, it refers to legal divorces only, not all relationship breakdowns.

Current Divorce Rate in Canada (2025 Statistics): 

It’s time to dive into the data, the hard, objective numbers.

Statistics Canada reported the following for 2020:

• 2020: 42,933 divorces granted; the lowest since 1973

• 2019: 56,937 divorces granted

• Compared to 2019, there were roughly 25% fewer divorces in 2020.

Divorces per population (the refined divorce rate):

• The divorce rate per 1,000 married persons in Canada decreased from 7.5 in 2019 to 5.6 in 2020. 

Keep in mind, this doesn’t necessarily mean Canadian couples are suddenly happier.

It’s in part due to:

• A decline in the number of people marrying

• Increase in couples who separate but never file for divorce.

• Delayed court operations in 2020 affected divorce filings during the pandemic.

Nonetheless, this was the lowest annual rate in 48 years.

Other verified statistics from Statistics Canada:

• Median time from initial filing to final divorce grant increased to about 5.8 months in 2020 from about 4.8 months in 2018-2019

• Average length of marriage before divorce: 15.3 years

These numbers show divorces are happening later in life, after longer marriages, and increasingly by mutual agreement.

Percentage of Marriages Ending in Divorce in Canada:

If you’ve ever Googled, “What percentage of marriages end in divorce in Canada?”, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most-searched family law questions.

Here’s the truth: There is no one simple, up-to-date percentage that covers all marriages.

Statistics Canada doesn’t publish a single national “percentage of marriages that end in divorce” figure because it changes by time period, region, and age group.

But a range of studies and long-term data overviews predict that a significant number of marriages in Canada eventually end in divorce.

Except it’s not the same across the board. Age, income, education, and timing all shift the odds.

Consider:

• The younger the couple is at marriage, or the more financial stress early on, the higher the risk of divorce.

• Marriages where the couple are older or has lived together first tend to be more stable.

• Risk is highest in the first 10 to 15 years of marriage and reduces significantly after that point.

So the next time someone asks, “What percent of marriages end in divorce?”, the honest lawyer’s answer is: “It depends, but around one-third to two-fifths, if we’re talking lifetime risk.”

That’s the most accurate, as Canada’s data currently goes.

Divorce Statistics in Canada by Province and Demographics: 

Numbers get more interesting when you consider geography and demographics. Canada’s divorce rate varies a lot depending on where and who you are.

Provincial Trends: 

The five-year average divorce rate per 1,000 married persons from 2016 to 2020 by province was:

• Yukon: 13 

• Alberta: 10  

• Newfoundland and Labrador: 6  

• Nunavut: 2 

Provincial disparities exist for a lot of reasons, including population size, migration, and even court access. Generally, divorces are higher in urban provinces because more people live (and separate) there.

Age and Duration: 

Younger couples are divorcing less; over-50s’ rates remain steady (resulting in a so-called “grey divorce” wave).

The average age at divorce hovers at 46, and the median marriage length before divorce is now over 15 years. 

Translation: people are getting divorced later in life, after longer marriages.

Other Demographics: 

According to data from Statistics Canada (2020), 31% of divorces in Canada are estimated to be filed by joint application (meaning couples are agreeing to it), which is up significantly in recent decades. Race, culture, and socioeconomic status matter; education, financial stability, and aligned parenting expectations can influence whether couples stay together or part ways. 

Bottom line, Canada’s divorce rate is deceptively complex, province by province, couple by couple.

Historical Overview: Divorce Rate in Canada

OK, let’s rewind to understand how we got here:

Divorces in Canada were extremely rare before 1968. Canada actually didn’t have divorce courts in most provinces (cases had to petition Parliament directly), some provinces (e.g. Ontario) had divorce courts before then, and the church's ecclesiastical divorces had limited recognition historically.

Once the Divorce Act of 1968 established uniform grounds for divorce in Canada (including separation for 3 years), the floodgates slowly opened.

The 1986 amendment replaced that with a 1-year separation period and established the core test of “marriage breakdown”. The result was that divorce filings rose dramatically.

By 1987, there were 97,773 divorces granted in Canada. The most ever. 

The trend, however, has been steadily downward since then, both in raw numbers and by percentage.

In 2019, only 56,937 divorces were reported.

Divorces per 1,000 married persons have declined from 12.7 in 1991 to 7.5 in 2019 and down to 5.6 in 2020.

Why the fall? 

• Canadians are marrying later. 

• Fewer people are marrying at all. 

• Common-law relationships (not included in divorce statistics) are on the rise.

• Older couples are less likely to divorce than younger ones.

In short, marriage has become rarer, but for those who do marry, it is slightly more enduring. 

Common Contributing Factors Behind Divorce: 

In our legal experience, combined with divorce statistics in Canada, these are the 8 most common factors of divorce.

Check out our deeper dive on each cause here.

1. Incompatibility and Communication Breakdown: By far, the most common reason cited by couples. The plain truth is that people grow apart or stop talking. 

2. Infidelity: Still one of the top relationship deal-breakers. Legally and emotionally. 

3. Financial Stress: Fights over money, debt, or job insecurity can break trust in marriage. 

4. Mental or Physical Cruelty: Although proving “cruelty” can be more legally complex than “separation”, in family court, the Divorce Act grounds physical or mental cruelty as a valid reason to divorce. 

5. Unrealistic Expectations: Every marriage tested by romantic idealism will fail at the realism of everyday life. 

6. Substance Abuse or Addiction: When one partner struggles with drugs or alcohol, a pattern of dependency takes root. 

7. Blended Family Conflicts: Remarriages and stepfamilies face different stressors from blending children, step-parenting, and unequal parenting time. 

While the Divorce Act doesn’t require you to specify a “reason” beyond marriage breakdown, as lawyers and former spouses ourselves, we have found that (a) the more complex the reason for a divorce, the harder the legal process and (b) learning reasons, even if never discussed with your spouse, can bring necessary closure.

The Impact of Divorce on Canadian Families and Society: 

Divorce rates in Canada don’t just affect two people. A separation reflects a ripple that affects kids, finances, and communities.

Parenting & Custody: 

After separation, parents must divide decision-making responsibility (formerly known as custody) and parenting time. Canadian courts and the Divorce Act emphasize the “best interests of the child”.

But how do separated parents agree on those best interests? Lawyers play a vital role in translating emotional disputes into clear, enforceable agreements that secure kids’ stability.

Financial Reality: 

Divorce almost always means financial adjustment. Ontario’s Family Law Act requires equalization of net family property for married spouses. Support is calculated via federal Child Support Guidelines and Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines.

Practically speaking, this means one partner may owe the other support to equalize income or parenting responsibility. It’s not about punishment, it’s about fairness. 

Social Consequences: 

Divorce can mean housing changes, income fluctuations, emotional stress, and shifting social circles. But divorce also creates the space to rebuild.

We see that in trends, fewer overall divorces but more clients who seek mediation, collaborate outside court, and negotiate respectfully.

What You Should Know About the Financial Side of Divorce? 

Money may not be why people marry, but it’s usually why they fight. And eventually, why they hire a lawyer. 

Divorce splits two people’s income, assets, debts, and even future obligations. Let’s walk through the financial parts of divorce under Canadian law: 

1. Legal Costs: 

The cost of divorce in Canada varies with complexity:

• Uncontested divorces in Ontario generally cost between $1,500 and $3,000, depending on filing fees and legal preparation.

• Contested divorces, where disputes over property, parenting, or support arise, can exceed $10,000–$20,000.

Mediation and collaborative divorce, recognized under Ontario’s Family Law Rules, can reduce courtroom time and costs while preserving civility. 

2. Division of Property and Assets: 

In Ontario, the Family Law Act governs how property is divided after a marriage breakdown.

Here’s the principle: marriage is an economic partnership.

When a couple divorces, each spouse calculates their Net Family Property (NFP), assets minus debts on the date of separation, minus what they brought into the marriage (with exceptions for gifts and inheritances).

The spouse with the higher NFP pays an equalization payment, so both leave with equal net growth.

This doesn’t mean every asset is split down the middle; rather, the value of the marital growth is.

Common property issues include:

• Matrimonial home (cannot be sold or mortgaged without consent)

• Joint bank accounts

• Investments and pensions

• Business interests

• Real estate and vehicles 

These can quickly turn complex, especially if one spouse manages finances or owns a business. That’s where legal expertise saves costly mistakes. 

3. Spousal Support: 

Spousal support is governed by the Divorce Act (s.15.2) and the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAGs).

Courts consider factors like:

• Length of marriage or cohabitation

• Roles during marriage and earning capacity

• Childcare responsibilities

• Financial dependency

• Support may be temporary (for transition) or indefinite (for long marriages).

Periodic payments are tax-deductible for the payer and taxable for the recipient, while lump-sum payments are neither. 

4. Child Support: 

Under the Federal Child Support Guidelines, child support is based on the payer’s gross income and the number of children.

It covers essentials,  food, shelter, clothing, and Section 7 allows extra expenses for education, healthcare, and childcare.

Child support is not taxable for the recipient and not deductible for the payer.

5. Taxes and Hidden Costs: 

Divorce can have tax implications, capital gains on property, pension transfers, and refinancing.

Legal advice helps minimize penalties and structure settlements effectively.

6. Why Early Legal Advice Matters? 

Financial settlements are hard to reverse once finalized.

Under s. 56(4) of Ontario’s Family Law Act, a domestic contract can only be set aside for reasons like duress or non-disclosure. 

That’s why understanding your financial rights early,  before signing anything,  is vital.

At GTA Divorce Lawyers, we often tell clients: “You can’t afford not to know your rights.” Knowing your numbers protects your future.

Trends & Lessons from Divorce:  

• Cohabitation over Marriage: As more Canadians opt for common-law relationships without marriage, traditional divorce rates will continue to trend downward. This doesn’t mean people aren’t separating; they just aren’t divorcing. 

• Later Marriages, Later Divorces: Couples are tending to marry older. This generally means longer marriages and (eventually) midlife or retirement divorces. 

• Grey Divorce: The “over 50” demographic is projected to drive more divorces in the coming years. 

• Technology’s Influence: Virtual mediation, document e-filing, and do-it-yourself online applications make the process cheaper and faster. 

• Economic Influence: Inflation, housing, employment, and debt pressures add stressors to Canadian families and new complexity to spousal support and property division.

Overall, divorce rates in Canada will likely see fewer divorces but more complex divorces involving assets, pensions, and adult children in the future. 

Maybe that’s progress. Maybe it’s just a new normal. Likely, both. 

When to Talk to a Lawyer About Divorce in Canada? 

It’s never “too early” to get informed. Even if you’re unsure about filing, early legal guidance saves heartache later. 

But it’s also our job to explain that “getting legal advice” early can make all the difference between expensive regret and amicable resolution later. Legally speaking, you should contact an experienced lawyer when:

• You’ve separated or are planning to.  

• You have shared property, children, or a business with your spouse. 

• You are unclear on your rights or support obligations. 

• You suspect your spouse of hiding assets or changing bank accounts.  

• You simply want an objective third party to review your legal options and likely outcomes.

Seeking advice doesn’t commit you to litigation. It gives perspective. We aim to guide, not push. At GTA Divorce Lawyers, we help clients weigh strategy, timing, and peace of mind, not just “winning”. 

Final Thoughts: 

The Canadian divorce rate reflects a positive trend: the divorce rate is at its lowest in nearly 50 years. There are fewer divorces per married person than at any time since the Divorce Act came into force. But statistics don’t capture the emotional complexity behind those numbers. 

A lower divorce rate in Canada is not the end of the story, but part of it. It’s up to each of us to look for the facts that inform our choices. To use data that drives awareness, not anxiety.

Understanding the Canada divorce rate isn’t about cynicism; it's about awareness. Statistics don’t ever give the full picture. But in a messy process like divorce, information and awareness bring clarity. Options are the first step to calm. 

We, at GTA Divorce Lawyers, are always here to help, whenever and however you need, not to rush, but to help you take steps with a clear mind and full confidence. 

Ready to understand your next step?

We’ll walk you through every stage of your divorce: legally, financially, and emotionally. Book a confidential consultation today.