The latest data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that divorce, marriage and re-marriage appear to be on the rise among people over the age of 65.
The data builds upon previous research carried out by think tank the International Longevity Centre (ILC) earlier this year, which identified a surge in so-called ‘silver splitter’ divorces – which see older Britons divorce in later life to marry a new or younger partner.
According to the latest ONS figures, overall divorce rates fell by 28 per cent between 2005 and 2015, with an increasing number of younger Britons opting to cohabit instead of marrying.
However, divorce rates among the over-65s bucked the trend over the same period – with the number of older men divorcing up by 23 per cent and the number of women over the age of 65 divorcing up by a staggering 38 per cent.
During the same period, marriages among over-65s also rose significantly – rising by almost half (46 per cent) between 2004 and 2014.
The ONS has said that the growing popularity of online dating could be linked to the rising divorce rates and spiralling marriage rates among the UK’s older generation.
The comments come after its figures also found that 78 per cent of Britons aged 65 to 74 claimed to have regularly used the internet throughout 2017 – up from just 52 per cent in 2011.
MFG Solicitors’ family team can advise on divorce and related financial disputes. We are also able to advise on the benefits of obtaining a pre-nuptial agreement in a marriage with older parties or a second marriage. For more information, please contact us.
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