Australia has reached a turning point in its family dynamics: the nation’s divorce rate has fallen to its lowest level since the mid-1970s, while the median duration of marriages continues to lengthen, according to data released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and analysed by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS).
Official figures for 2024 reveal that the crude divorce rate fell to 2.1 divorces per 1,000 residents aged 16 and over—a decline from 2.3 in 2023—marking a 3% reduction in the number of divorces granted across the country. In raw terms, there were approximately 47,216 divorces last year, compared with 48,700 the previous year. Meanwhile, the number of marriages edged up 2% year‑on‑year to 120,844 in 2024, rebounding from the post‑pandemic slump but yet to match peak levels.
One of the most striking indicators is that marriages are lasting longer. The median duration between marriage and divorce has now climbed to 13.2 years, an increase from 12.1 years in 2020. This suggests that couples are either staying together longer overall or that separations are occurring later in life.
Age trends further reinforce this shift. In 2024, the median age at marriage was 32.8 for men and 31.2 for women. When divorce occurs, those median ages rise to 47.1 for men and 44.1 for women. The proportion of divorces involving individuals over 60 has also increased, while separations among younger couples have become less common.
Analysts attribute these developments to several interlinked factors. Most prominently, people are marrying later and those who do are demonstrating greater commitment. According to Dr Jan Kabatek from the Melbourne Institute, “Fewer people are getting married and the people who are getting married are usually the ones who are more committed, either through religion or because they are older and more experienced”. AIFS senior researcher Dr Lixia Qu notes that living together before marriage—a widespread practice today—allows couples to assess compatibility (“try before you buy”), reducing the likelihood of divorce.
Moreover, financial considerations are influencing separation decisions. Rising living costs and tighter lending conditions are prompting some couples to postpone legal separation or cohabit post-split as “financial flatmates,” delaying formal divorce due to economic constraints.
There is also greater recognition of how delayed timeline events affect marriage longevity. Post‑COVID‑19 behavioural shifts—such as postponing weddings during lockdowns and earlier relationship breakdowns—have left more stable partnerships intact, influencing divorce statistics.
Same-gender and non-binary marriages continue to grow in number—a trend reflected in both marriages and divorces. While the share of divorces involving same-gender couples rose slightly from 1.4% in 2023 to 1.6% in 2024, the absolute figures remain small. Female same-gender couples continue to marry and divorce in greater numbers than their male counterparts.
Finally, the proportion of divorces involving children under 18 remains stable at around 47%, down from 68% in the mid-1970s—a reflection of both later family formation and longer types of marriages.
In summary, Australia’s divorce landscape is evolving. Fewer people are marrying, but those who do are older, more selective, and entering more enduring partnerships. Financial pressures and shifting societal norms continue to shape separation trends, but the overarching story is one of more stable, longer-lasting marriages in today’s Australia.
