National divorce statistics are at their lowest in 45 years! This is great news for couples looking to take the plunge and get wed soon, as well as those that are already in loving relationships, and has got us wondering: where in Wales are marriages most successful?
So, our divorce solicitors in Cardiff have delved into data from the 2011 census to reveal which local authorities saw the highest divorce rates, the best marriage statistics, as well as where people were most likely to be single. See how your local area stacks up below.
Monmouthshire Sees Highest Marriage Rates in Wales!
It appears Monmouthshire residents are the most in love. Marriage statistics revealed that 54.1% of people over the age of 18 and living in Monmouthshire were likely to be married.
At the opposite end of the scale, the lowest marriage numbers were seen in the capital, Cardiff, where just 38.5% of residents were married.
Check out how your area compares by clicking the map below:
If You Live in Cardiff, You’re More Likely to be Single
With Monmouthshire having the highest percentage of married people in Wales, it may come as no surprise that the lowest single numbers were seen here.
Head west to the Welsh capital and the centre of business, Cardiff, and you’ll find the highest percentage of single people in Wales. Research found 45% of people in Cardiff were single, with Swansea in close second with 43.8% and Ceredigion in third at 38.7%.
Civil Partnerships Were Highest in Newport
Despite Cardiff being the local authority with the highest percentage of single people, it was revealed that it was the third most likely place for civil partnerships. Torfaen came in second, with Newport topping the list at 0.4%.
On the other hand, Gwynedd, Wrexham, Carmarthenshire, Flintshire, and Pembrokeshire all tied with the lowest rate of civil partnerships in Wales at just 0.1%.
Widower Rates Highest in North Wales
Sadly, it seems Conwy had the highest percentage of widowed people in Wales with 9.7% of its population identifying themselves this way. The Isle of Anglesey also saw a high rate of 9.1%, however it was least likely in Cardiff (6%).
Separations Are Most Common in Newport
According to marital status data, Newport had the highest rate of separations in Wales at 2.6% of the adult population. Merthyr Tydfil came in second at 2.5%, whereas Swansea, Denbighshire, Conwy and the Vale of Glamorgan tied for third.
Divorce is Most Likely in Conwy, Blaenau Gwent and Neath Port Talbot
Not all marriages work out. In fact, the Office for National Statistics reveals there were 107,000 divorces in England and Wales in 2016, with the highest divorce rate being between opposite sex couples where the male was aged 45 to 49 and the woman in her thirties.
Census data dictates that 10.6% of people living in Conwy, Blaenau Gwent and Neath Port Talbot were divorced at time of survey – the highest percentage of anywhere in Wales. Divorce was least likely in Cardiff (8.2%), with Ceredigion (8.5%) and Gwynedd (9%) also low scoring.
Tristan Lewis, Business Development Manager at Howells, said:
"There are any number of factors that affect marriage and divorce rates, and it is interesting to see how geographical and regional differences can contribute to these.
“According to this census data, around 1 in 10 people in Wales are currently divorced or separated, which is a significant percentage of the population.
“If you are currently separated or considering divorce, it is important to know where you stand legally. Our family and marital law experts can help you at any of our 6 local branches around South Wales.”
To discover your options, contact our divorce solicitors in South Wales to learn your rights.
Resources:
KS103EW Marital and civil partnership status, local authorities in England and Wales
Statistical Bulleting: Divorces in England and Wales:2016
