Marriage is commonly regarded as a lifelong commitment, but divorce rates vary greatly between countries. While some countries have high rates of marital breakup, others have unusually low divorce rates.
Cultural traditions, legal frameworks, economic forces, and cultural conventions all have a role in influencing these patterns. To determine the countries with the lowest divorce rates, data from the World Population Review was used to calculate the crude divorce rate, which is the number of divorces per 1,000 inhabitants per year.
According to Insider Monkey, the following four countries have relatively low divorce rates:
India: divorce rate of 0.01 per 1,000
India boasts the world’s lowest divorce rate, thanks to strong cultural and societal factors. Arranged marriages, which prioritise family unity above individual preferences, continue a prominent practice. The deeply ingrained cultural stigma surrounding divorce contributes to the country’s unusually low divorce rate.
Mozambique: divorce rate of 0.04 per 1,000
Cultural customs play a key role in Mozambique’s low divorce rate. In patrilineal marriages, a bride price or wealth exchange occurs, and returning this wealth upon divorce is often challenging. This financial barrier stops many people from pursuing divorce, resulting in very low rates.
Kenya: divorce Rate per 1,000: 0.06
Education is a major factor in Kenya’s lower divorce rates because higher levels of education enable couples to better navigate marital difficulties, which lowers the likelihood of separation. Women in particular gain financial and decision-making independence, which contributes to greater marital stability.
Zimbabwe: divorce Rate per 1,000: 0.07
Zimbabwe’s low divorce rate is influenced by cultural and financial factors, but there has been a gradual increase in divorces, with the main causes being infidelity, religious differences, and financial instability. In 2021, 1,351 couples filed for divorce, a significant increase from 1,117 cases in 2020.
