The divorce rate in the Dominican Republic continues its upward trend, reaching a staggering 55 divorces per 100 marriages in 2022, according to Census 2022 data from the National Statistics Office (ONE). This represents a significant increase from the 41 divorces per 100 marriages recorded between 2011 and 2016.
The 55 divorces to 100 marriages in the Dominican Republic is high when compared to the statistics for the United States. The US divorces to marriages rate was around 43%, the result of 989,518 divorces to 2,315,440 marriages in 2022, according to a report by Bowling Green State University.
Diario Libre reported that in the Dominican Republic, the trend in divorces to marriages was temporarily interrupted in 2020 due to the nationwide lockdown imposed to curb the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in a reduced divorce rate of 35.16 per 100 marriages. However, as the country reopened in 2021, divorce filings surged, leading to a record-high rate of 63.35 divorces per 100 marriages.
Experts attribute the rising divorce rate to various factors, including early marriages, societal pressures, economic hardship, and domestic violence. The prevalence of child marriage, with 9% of girls married by age 15 and 31% by age 18, is a significant concern, as these young individuals may not have the maturity or emotional readiness for a successful marriage.
Additionally, the Dominican Republic’s machismo culture, which emphasizes male dominance and traditional gender roles, can contribute to marital conflicts and infidelity. Furthermore, poverty, unemployment, and family problems are prevalent issues that can strain relationships and lead to divorce.
Diario Libre reports that the ease of obtaining a divorce in the Dominican Republic may also play a role in the increasing numbers. The country offers two types of divorce: divorce by mutual consent, which does not require proving fault, and divorce for cause, which requires demonstrating specific grounds for dissolution of the marriage.
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Diario Libre
Bowling Green State University
Our World in Data
ONE
24 July 2024