In 2024, Singapore recorded 7,078 divorces, representing an increase of just over 3% compared to 2023, based on official government statistics. While the overall rise was modest, the underlying composition of divorces shifted noticeably during the year.
The increase was primarily driven by a sharp rise in Muslim divorces, which grew by approximately 20% year-on-year. In contrast, civil divorces declined marginally, falling from 5,649 cases in 2023 to 5,638 cases in 2024. Despite the significant percentage increase among Muslim divorces, they continue to account for only around one-fifth of all divorces in Singapore, with civil divorces remaining the clear majority.
It is also important to distinguish divorces from marriage annulments, which are governed by a different legal framework and are not typically classified as divorces. In 2024, there were 304 annulments, representing a 13% increase compared to 2023. However, annulments continue to make up a relatively small proportion of total marriage dissolutions, largely due to the strict legal requirements that must be satisfied for a marriage to be annulled, such as non-consummation or lack of valid consent.
When divorces and annulments are considered together, the total number of marriage dissolutions in Singapore in 2024 was 7,382, up from 7,118 in 2023. This represents an overall increase of approximately 3.7%, indicating a gradual upward movement rather than a sharp surge in marital breakdowns.
The median age at divorce in Singapore continues to trend upwards, particularly for civil divorces, reflecting broader social changes such as later marriages and longer marital durations.
In 2024, the median age for men undergoing civil divorce was 45.5 years, while the median age for women was 41.8 years. As illustrated in the graph, this forms part of a clear long-term upward trend, indicating that couples in Singapore are increasingly divorcing later in life compared to previous decades.
This pattern is consistent with wider demographic shifts, including delayed marriage, greater financial interdependence between spouses, and couples remaining together longer before deciding to dissolve the marriage. As a result, modern divorces are more likely to involve longer marriages, shared assets, and children, which can add complexity to the legal process.
By contrast, Muslim divorces in 2024 showed a decline in the median age for both men and women. The median age for Muslim men fell to 39.6 years, while that for Muslim women declined to 37.1 years. This coincided with a significant year-on-year increase in the total number of Muslim divorces, which rose by approximately 20% compared to 2023.
The lower median ages in Muslim divorces may indicate a higher proportion of shorter-duration marriages ending earlier, which in turn pulls the median age downward during years where divorce volumes rise more sharply. However, this should be interpreted in context, as annual fluctuations can be influenced by changes in the size and age profile of divorcing couples in any given year.
In 2024, the median duration of marriage before divorce in Singapore increased to 12 years, up from 11.7 years in 2023. This continues a longer-term upward trend, indicating that couples are generally remaining married for a greater number of years before deciding to divorce.
This pattern aligns closely with other demographic indicators, such as the rising median age at divorce, and reflects broader social shifts including later marriage, increased financial and familial interdependence, and a greater tendency for couples to attempt reconciliation or informal separation before pursuing formal divorce proceedings. As marriages last longer, divorces are also more likely to involve complex asset division, long-term financial arrangements, and child-related matters, which can have significant legal implications.
By contrast, for divorces governed by the Muslim Law Act, the median duration of marriage remained unchanged at 8.2 years in 2024, consistent with the figures recorded in 2023. This suggests a more stable pattern in marriage duration within this group, notwithstanding the increase in the overall number of Muslim divorces during the year.
Taken together, these figures indicate that while divorce remains a feature of Singapore’s marital landscape, it is increasingly occurring later in the marriage lifecycle, particularly for civil marriages, rather than in the early years following marriage.
If you are considering divorce or would like advice on how these trends may affect your circumstances, our dedicated divorce lawyers can provide a confidential consultation to help you understand your legal position and options.
