3310.0 - Marriages and Divorces, Australia, 2008 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 31/08/2009   
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Contents >> Divorces >> Length of marriage of divorcing couples

LENGTH OF MARRIAGE OF DIVORCING COUPLES

In 2008, median length of marriage to separation was 8.8 years. In comparison, the median length of marriage to separation in 2004 was 8.7 years, and in 1999 it was 7.9 years.

Median length of marriage to divorce was 12.3 years for divorces granted in 2008. In 2004, it was also 12.3 years, and in 1999 it was 11.3 years.

Over the last 20 years, median length of marriage to separation and divorce has steadily increased, although length of marriage to divorce has been increasing at a slightly faster rate than length of marriage to separation. In 2008, however, decreases were observed for median length of marriage at both separation and divorce. Median length of marriage to separation in 2008 decreased to 8.8 years, the first decrease in the last 20 years. Median length of marriage to divorce peaked at 12.6 years in 2006, decreasing to 12.3 years in 2008.

The difference between median length of marriage to separation and divorce was 3.5 years in 2008, compared with 3.6 years in 2004 and 3.4 years in 1999.

Median length to separation and divorce, Australia, 1989-2008
Graph: Median length to separation and divorce,  Australia, 1989–2008








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