The Unexpected Impact of COVID-19 on Divorce Rates

In a normal year, where there is no health pandemic occurring, divorce rates see a spike in January, after couples have spent more time together over the holidays and the increased stress involved as this time, such as financial problems. In some of these cases, just a few weeks of being at home together has led to arguments and unhappiness that ultimately results in one or both partners looking for a way out.

Then if we add in the stress and challenges that a global health pandemic has brought, with families spending even more time together during lockdown restrictions that have lasted much longer than the Christmas holidays, it is easy to see why divorce rates are high.

These are some of the key factors that are driving divorces since the pandemic started:

More time spent at home

With no option to go round to a friend’s house, go to the gym, or to meet up with people in restaurants and pubs, staying at home has been difficult for many couples to adapt to. Many people have been furloughed or unable to work and have therefore been at home when they would usually be out of the house five days a week. Couples who are not used to spending this amount of time together have particularly suffered as a consequence.

Increased stress and depression

COVID-19 has caused the number of people with mental health issues to increase, which manifests in a variety of ways. In some cases, people are drinking more alcohol, or are simply not able to do activities that usually help them to relieve stress such as socialising, group exercise or other hobbies. Heightened stress levels in one of both partners is a recipe for disagreements with nowhere to go to cool off afterwards.

Not being able to go on a foreign holiday or a short break in the UK can also contribute towards poor mental health, as many people use holidays to recharge their batteries and couples often feel closer when they go on holiday together and leave the usual daily stresses at home.

Financial problems
A lot of couples have also faced financial challenges as a result of the pandemic, with many people having been furloughed, or made redundant over the course of the last year. When there are bills to pay and reduced income, this can lead to a lot of strain on the relationship. Having arguments about financial problems is a very common ground for divorce, so this is another emerging consequence of COVID-19.

All of these problems are leading to an increase in relationships breaking down and as the UK moves out of lockdown, it is anticipated that there will be an influx of people looking into the possibility of a divorce. The last year has magnified smaller issues in relationships and that forced time together may have revealed incompatibility issues that couples were previously unaware of.

For people who are considering separation or divorce, it is a good idea to not rush into a decision. These have been very unusual circumstances we have been living in and relationships have been tested in ways that will hopefully never happen again.

On the other hand, the last year’s unhappiness may have been a useful reminder that you should not be in a relationship where you are unhappy. In hard times, couples need to lean on each other for support, rather than take their frustrations out on one another.

Give your situation some deep consideration and some time to reflect on whether the main problem is your relationship, or whether it is COVID-19 that is the main driver of your current unhappiness.