Singapore Divorce rate research

Number of Divorce

 During the period 1990-2003 the number of civil divorces climbed from
2,178 to an all time high of 4,188 for civil divorces.  Muslim divorced increased
from 972 to 2105.  This registered an increase of 92 percent for civil divorces
and 116 percent for Muslim divorces


General Divorce Rate
In Singapore, over the period 1980-2003, the general divorce rate
doubled from 3.8 to 8.
In terms of age-specific divorce rates, younger married persons aged
20-24 years registered the highest divorce rate in 2003, and their divorce rate
also showed the largest increase over the last decade.



Divorces by marriage cohor

Based on data of marriages registered since 1987, 9 percent of the
1994 marriage cohort divorced within the first 10 years of marriage compared
to 7 percent of the 1987 cohort.  For Muslim marriages, 16 percent of the
1994 marriage cohort compared to 11 percent of the 1987 cohort divorced
within the first 10 years.

Age at divorce

Among male divorcees in 2003, those aged 35-44 years formed the
largest proportion.  For female divorcees, the largest group was aged 25-34
years.  For both males and females,  there were large increases in the
proportion of divorcees aged 45 years and over in the last decade.  The mean
ages at divorce for non-Muslim and Muslim male divorcees were 41 years and
39 years respectively.  For female divorcees, they were 38 years and 35
years for non-Muslims and Muslims respectively.

Duration of Marriage

Approximately half of the civil marriages dissolved in 2003 lasted less
than 10 years.  A large proportion (34 percent) of the couples divorced within
the 5th–9th year of marriage. For the Muslim divorces, the largest proportion
(35 percent) was among couples who were married for less than 5 years.



Previous marital status

 In 2003, 77 percent of the 4188 non-Muslim divorces were among
bachelor grooms and spinster brides. In comparison, 66 percent of Muslim
divorces were among first marriages.

Reasons for divorce and petitioner

For non-Muslim divorces in 2003, unreasonable behaviour of spouse
was the most common reason cited for non-Muslim divorces, increasing from
29 percent in 1993 to 49 percent in 2003.  Having lived apart or separated for
three years or more was the next most common reason.  The wife instituted
the majority of non-Muslim divorces (64 percent) in  2003.  Unreasonable
behaviour of spouse was cited as the  main reason by 56 percent of the
females while living apart or separated was the main reason for 59 percent of
the males.


For Muslim divorces, personality difference was the main reason cited
for 43 percent of the divorces in 2003, followed by infidelity (16 percent).  The
proportion who cited neglect and irresponsibility increased considerably from
1 percent in 1993 to 13 percent in  2003.  The proportion due to inadequate
maintenance decreased significantly from 16 percent in 1993 to 3 percent in
2003.  About three out of every five Muslim divorces in 2003 were instituted
by the wife (59 percent).  Proportionately more males (50 percent) than
females (32 percent) petitioned on the  grounds of personality difference.
More females (18 percent) than males  (11 percent) petitioned on grounds of
neglect and irresponsibility.

http://fcd.ecitizen.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/DDC4BC9F-5BAC-44C7-90C3-C88B294DB2DE/0/Chpt3.pdf