Financial hardship leads to divorce, figures suggest

As the number of divorces in England and Wales increases for the first time since 2003, experts have suggested that the persistence of the economic downturn has been a primary factor putting relationships under strain.

In 2010 119,589 couples got divorced, an increase of 4.9 per cent since 2009, when there were 113,949 divorces.

The divorce rate rose to 11.1 divorcing people per thousand married population in 2010 from 10.5 in 2009.

Moreover, figures show that 22 per cent of marriages in 1970 had ended in divorce by the 15th wedding anniversary, whereas 33 per cent of marriages in 1995 had ended after the same period of time.

Kelly Rose Bradford, parenting and relationship journalist, explained: "The strength of ... relationship(s) may be tested in times of financial hardship, but it should not really be a factor for separation - although obviously it could be a catalyst for other issues to come to a head."

Money often exposes cracks in relationships and the recession has proven to be the tipping point for many couples unable to work together during times of hardship.

However, Ms Bradford stresses that as finances become an issue, communication should be the first point of action to work through stresses and worries before heading to the divorce courts.

Published by Tessa Jones