“Since the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, the number of divorces has been on a continuous decline for five consecutive years.”
“According to the National Statistical Portal of Statistics Korea, the number of divorces in November last year was 7,638 cases, a 3.6% decrease compared to the same month the previous year, and the cumulative number of divorces up to November was 83,599 cases, a 1.8% drop from the previous year.”
“At the current trend, the annual number of divorces is expected to reach around 90,000 cases.”
“The number of divorces peaked at 110,831 cases in 2019, before decreasing to 106,500 in 2020, 101,673 in 2021, 93,232 in 2022, and 92,394 in 2023.”
“The crude divorce rate, which represents the number of divorces per 1,000 people, has also continued to decline, dropping from 2.2 in 2019 to 1.8 in 2023, marking the lowest figure since the beginning of statistics compilation.”
“The decline in divorces seems to be influenced by a sharp decrease in marriages during the COVID-19 period.”
“Moreover, there is an analysis that the change in social atmosphere brought about by the pandemic has also contributed to the decrease in divorces.”
“The Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs previously analyzed, through a related report, that with social distancing and lockdown measures, families spent more time at home, increasing communication and interaction between couples.”
“This has led to many existing conflicts or grievances being resolved through dialogue and mediation, resulting in a decrease in divorces.”