, Singapore

I don't: Divorces in Singapore on the rise

The number of marital dissolutions such as divorces and annulments rose from 7,338 in 2010 to 7,604 in 2011.

Almost two-thirds of civil divorces was initiated by the women to bring the crude rate of divorce in Singapore slightly higher to 2.0 from 1.9 divorces per thousand residents, according to newly released Statistics on Marriages and Divorces 2011 report from the Department of Statistics Singapore.

Among civil divorces, the main reasons for divorce in 2011 were “Unreasonable behaviour” (49 per cent) and “Having lived apart or separated for three years or more” (47 per cent). “Unreasonable behaviour” of spouse was cited as the main reason by 56 per cent of the female plaintiffs while “Having lived apart or separated for three years or more” was the main reason for 58 per cent of the male plaintiffs.

Here's more from StatSing:

General Divorce Rate. Among married male residents, the general divorce rate increased slightly from 7.5 per thousand married male residents in 2010 to 7.6 in 2011. The rate among married female residents was 7.2 in 2011, unchanged from 2010. Compared to a decade ago, the general divorce rates in 2011 were significantly higher (6.3 for males and 6.4 for females in 2001). 

Age-Specific Divorce Rate. Both married males and females experienced higher divorce rates across almost all age groups in 2011 compared to 2001, particularly among those aged 25-29 years for males and 35-39 years for females.

Age at Divorce. Compared to 2001, there were higher proportions of divorcees in the age groups 35-44 years, and 45 years and over in 2011. The proportion aged 35-44 years rose from 38 per cent in 2001 to 39 per cent in 2011 for male divorcees, and from 33 per cent to 38 per cent for female divorces (Table 2.1). The increase in the proportion aged 45 years and over was larger, from 27 per cent to 38 per cent for male divorcees and from 18 per cent to 25 per cent for female divorcees.  The median age at divorce rose in the last ten years. The median ages for male and female divorcees were 41.3 years and 37.7 years respectively in 2011, up from 39.0 years and 35.5 years in 2001.

Median Duration of Marriage. The median marriage duration for divorces in 2011 was 10.5 years. Marriage duration was generally shorter among Muslim divorces than civil divorces. In 2011, the median marriage duration was 8.4 years for Muslim divorces and 11.1 years for civil divorces. Couples who were married for 5-9 years accounted for the largest group
(30 per cent) of civil divorces in 2011, followed by those who were married for 20 years or longer (20 per cent). Among Muslim divorces, while couples who were married for 5-9 years also formed the largest group (30 per cent), the second  largest group were those who were married for less than 5 years (27 per cent). 
Main Reasons for Divorce and Plaintiff 

Divorces under the Women’s Charter. Among civil divorces, the main reasons for divorce in 2011 were “Unreasonable behaviour” (49 per cent) and “Having lived apart or separated for three years or more” (47 per cent). The wife instituted majority (65 per cent) of civil divorces in 2011. “Unreasonable behaviour” of spouse was cited as the main reason by 56 per cent of the female plaintiffs while “Having lived apart or separated for three years or more” was the main reason for 58 per cent of the male plaintiffs. 

Divorces under the Administration of Muslim Law Act. Among Muslim divorces, “Infidelity or extra-marital affair” and “Domestic violence and abuses” were the top two main reasons for divorce, as cited by 21 per cent and 17 per cent of the divorces in 2011 respectively. Divorces filed solely by the wife constituted 70 per cent of the Muslim divorces in 2011. The top main reason for divorce was “Infidelity or extra-marital affair” at 21 per cent each for male and female plaintiffs. 

Annulment of Marriages under the Women’s Charter. There were a total of 370 annulments under the Women‟s Charter in  2011, comparable to the 369 annulments in 2010. The median duration of marriages that were annulled in 2011 was 1.8 years, a slight decline from 1.9 years in 2010. 

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