The divorce rate in
the United States has remained fairly stable since 1988, and provisional
data for 1993 show the rate to be 4.6 divorces per 1,000 population. The
divorce rate had risen steadily from 2.5 in 1966 to a peak of 5.3 in both
1979 and 1981. The rate declined in the early and mid-1980's and leveled
off at about 4.7 during 1988-93.
First marriages ending
in divorce lasted an average of 11 years for both men and women, while
remarriages ending in divorce lasted an average of 7.4 years for men and
7.1 years for women. Nationally, all marriages ending in divorce lasted an
average of 9.8 years, ranging from a duration of 8.2 years in Alaska to
11.6 years in Maryland.
Divorce numbers are
highest among men aged 30-34 years and women aged 25-29 years. However,
the divorce rate is highest among men aged 20-24 years and women aged
15-19 years.
The average age of men
divorcing after the first marriage was 35 years; for women the average age
was 33 years. The average age for men divorcing from their second marriage
was 42 years; for women it was age 39 years. For the thrice or more
divorced, the average age of men was 46.5 years; for women it was age 42
years.
The largest proportion
of divorces were granted to men and women who had married between the ages
of 20-24 years. First-time male divorcees on average were 24 years of age
when they married; for women, the average age was 22 years.
In 27 reporting States
and the District of Columbia, young white persons aged 15-24 years had
substantially higher divorce rates than young black persons the same age.
Among people aged 25 years and over, the black population had higher
divorce rates than the white population.
Divorce rates ranged
from 2.7 in Massachusetts to 10.8 in Nevada. Because of differences in
reporting between States, there is no means for accurately ranking all 50
States.
Divorce had varying
impact on family structure from State-to-State. A greater percent of
children were involved in divorces in Nebraska and Utah than in other
reporting States. Sixty-four percent of divorces in Nebraska and 63
percent in Utah involved at least one child. Meanwhile, the greatest
percent of divorces involving no children occurred in the District of
Columbia and Maryland.
In 19 reporting States,
72 percent of custody cases were awarded to the wife, and 9 percent of
custody cases were awarded to the husband. Joint custody was awarded in 16
percent of the cases.
For more
information, please contact NCHS, Office of Public Affairs (301) 458-4800,
or via e-mail at paoquery@nch10a.em.cdc.gov.