3307.0.55.001 - Divorces, Australia, 2007 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 29/08/2008  Final
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  • Less couples seek divorce in 2007: ABS (Media Release)

MEDIA RELEASE

August 29, 2008
Embargoed: 11.30 am (AEST)
86/2008

Less couples seek divorce in 2007: ABS

Almost 48,000 divorces were granted in Australia during 2007, according to new figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The number of divorces granted fell by 6% from 2006, making it the largest year on year decrease in 20 years.

There has been a growing trend over the past 20 years towards joint applicant divorces, where both partners put their names to the application. This trend continued in 2007, with one-third (33%) of divorces granted involving joint applicants. A further 38% were applied for by a female partner, and 27% by a male partner.

Other findings include:
  • Almost half (48%) of divorces granted in 2007 were to couples with children aged under 18 years, making it the lowest proportion in 20 years.
  • The median age of couples at divorce has increased by 0.3 years to 44.2 years for males, and 0.2 years to 41.3 years for females since 1997.

Further information is available in Divorces, Australia, 2007 (cat. no. 3307.0.55.001), for free download from the ABS website <www.abs.gov.au>.