Marriages and divorces, 2003

The number of divorces has increased fourfold since the beginning of the 1960s. The separation rate, i.e. the number of separations per 1 000 married, fell from 15.6 to 15.3 from 2002 to 2003.

Highest among 35-39 year olds

For both men and women the divorce rate is highest in the 35-39 age group. In this group, there are 22.8 and 23.6 divorces per 1 000 married and separated respectively. This group also saw the highest increase in divorces among women, whereas among men the highest increase was in the 25-29 age group. The divorce rate for women increased in all age groups to age 70, except in the 30-34 group. For men and women aged over 69 the divorce rate was low, with less than one divorce per 1 000 married and separated. This rate has remained stable in the last two years.

11 400 children involved in divorces

In total, 11 out of 1 000 children were involved in divorces in 2003. This figure was highest in the counties of Buskerud and Vestfold, both with 13 out of 1 000 children. In Sogn og Fjordane, only seven out of 1 000 children were involved in divorces.

41 percent of the couples that got divorced last year did not have children together, 23 percent had one child, 27 percent had two children and 9 percent had three or more children.

There are no statistics on couple breakups among cohabitants.

Almost half divorced before silver wedding

Based on the divorce rates for 2003 it has been estimated that 5, 11 and 45 per cent of all marriages will end in divorce after three, five and 25 years' of marriage respectively.

Registered partnerships

Among registered partners where at least the oldest partner is resident in Norway, 50 couples divorced and 48 couples separated in 2003. This compares with 44 divorces and 71 separations in 2002. In total, 2 600 persons were registered partners in Norway at 1 January 2004. The Act relating to Registered Partnership was implemented in 1993.

Tables:

• Table 1 Marriages dissolved. Separations. 1961-2003
• Table 2 Divorces and separations, by county. 1981-2003
• Table 3 Divorce rates for males and females in different age groups. 1959-2003
• Table 4 Divorces, by duration of marriage. 1971-2003
• Table 5 Divorces, by number of common children. 1971-2003
• Table 6 Number of children involved in divorces. 1971-2003
• Table 7 Divorces, by number of common children and duration of marriage. 2003
• Table 8 Estimated percentage of marriages dissolved, assuming the divorce rates of each single year. 1960-2003
• Table 9 Children under 18 years of age involved in divorces, by county. 2003
• Table 10 Separation rates for males and females in different age groups.1999-2003
• Table 11 Separations, by duration of marriage. 2000-2003
• Table 12 Separations, by number of common children. 1999-2003
• Table 13 Number of children involved in separations. 1999-2003
• Table 14 Separations, by number of children and duration of marriage. 2003