Key Takeaways
- Divorce numbers in Germany have been declining steadily in recent years. Between 2019 and 2024, the total number of divorces fell by around 13%.
- Around 99% of divorces in Germany continue to occur between men and women. Same-sex divorces account for only a very small share of total cases.
- Falling divorce numbers reflect structural shifts in partnership formation, such as fewer overall marriages and later marriage.
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Number of Divorces in Germany
| Year | Total Divorces | YoY Change (In %) | Number of divorces (%1) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Man to woman | Man to man | Woman to woman | |||
| 2024 | 129,337 | 0.3 | 127,792 (98.8) | 561 (0.4) | 984 (0.8) |
| 2023 | 129,008 | −6.1 | 127,700 (99.0) | 471 (0.4) | 837 (0.6) |
| 2022 | 137,353 | −3.8 | 136,216 (99.2) | 443 (0.3) | 694 (0.5) |
| 2021 | 142,751 | −0.7 | 141,717 (99.3) | 385 (0.3) | 649 (0.5) |
| 2020 | 143,801 | −3.5 | 142,937 (99.4) | 351 (0.2) | 513 (0.4) |
| 2019 | 149,010 | 148,881 (99.9) | 45 (0.0) | 84 (0.1) | |
Source: Destatis
1 Percentages are rounded up.
Germany’s divorce figures have been declining for years. In 2019, Germany recorded 149,010 divorces. Since then, the numbers have dropped almost every year.
By 2024, Germany recorded 129,337 divorces, one of the lowest levels in recent years and well below pre-pandemic numbers. Overall, divorces fell by around 13% between 2019 and 2024, even as courts and civil registries returned to normal operations after COVID-19 disruptions.
Most Divorces in Germany Are Between Men and Women
Destatis data shows that divorces in Germany remain overwhelmingly concentrated among opposite-sex couples. Across recent years, around 99% of divorces involved men and women, while divorces among same-sex couples accounted for well under 1% of all cases annually.
This reflects both the relatively small share of same-sex marriages in the total married population and the still limited number of years since same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide.
Why Are Divorces in Germany Falling?
Two long-term trends help explain the sustained decline in divorce numbers:
1. Fewer marriages overall
Germany has experienced a steady decline in marriages for decades. Fewer marriages eventually translate into fewer divorces.
2. Germans are marrying later in life
People in Germany are marrying later in life. The average age at marriage is now around 35 for men and 33 for women. Later marriages tend to be more stable, as couples often enter marriage after longer relationships and with greater financial and personal stability.
Why are the German marriage rates declining? ->
Why are Germans marrying later than ever? ->
Together, these factors help explain the overall downward trend in divorce numbers, including the sharpest drop in 2023, which reflects years of declining marriage rates and later entry into marriage.
Rather than signaling greater relationship stability, the trend reflects structural shifts in partnership formation.
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