Separations and divorces in Italy

Istat presents the main results of surveys on separations and divorces conducted in 2008 in the records of 165 Italian civil courts.

Data refer to each single case settled in the reference period.

In 2008, separations were 84,165 and divorces 54,351, with an increase of 3.4% and 7.3% respectively, over the previous year.

Both phenomena are constantly growing: in 1995 there were 158 separations and 80 divorces per 1,000 marriages which rose to 286 and 179 respectively, in 2008.

The average duration of marriage at the time of filing for separation was 15 years, and 18 years for divorce.

The average age at separation was 45 for husbands and 41 for wives, rising to 46 and 43 respectively, at divorce.

The procedure preferred by most spouses is the uncontested one: in 2008 86.3% of separations and 77.3% of divorces were settled consensually.

70.8% of separations and 62.4% of divorces involved couples with children born during their marriage.