The average length of a marriage that ends in divorce in England and Wales has reached a record high of 13 years in 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is the longest average duration since records began in 1963. The figure has increased from a record low of 8.9 years in 1985. In 2025, there were 105,002 divorces registered in England and Wales, including 102,879 opposite-sex couples and 2,123 same-sex couples. Additionally, 959 civil partnership dissolutions were recorded, with 270 involving opposite-sex couples and 689 same-sex couples. Same-sex divorces reached their highest level since same-sex marriage was legalized a decade earlier, with 2,123 same-sex divorces taking place in 2025. The ONS noted that more recent marriages are less likely to end in divorce within the first 10 years compared to those from the 1980s and 1990s. For example, around 9.9% of couples who married in 1965 had divorced by their 10th anniversary, which rose to 24.7% for those who married in 1995. However, by 2005, this had decreased to 20.7%, and for couples who married in 2015, it had fallen further to 16.3%. The ONS attributed these changes to various factors, including legislative changes, shifts in the average age at which people get married, and evolving societal attitudes toward divorce and relationship dissolution. Experts suggest that economic factors may also play a role in the trend of longer-lasting marriages before divorce. Lisa Pepper, a specialist divorce lawyer at Osbornes Law, proposed that financial constraints might be a significant reason for couples staying in marriages longer. She noted that the cost of divorce could be a deterrent, leading couples to explore alternatives like mediation or couples therapy before deciding to end their marriage. These options are seen as less costly and potentially less damaging than going through a formal divorce. The data reflects broader societal changes in how people approach marriage and relationships. While the reasons for these shifts are complex, they highlight a growing emphasis on stability and the willingness to work through challenges rather than immediately seeking legal dissolution. This trend may continue as financial pressures and changing social norms influence how couples manage their relationships over time.