Mahr News Report on Divorce Statistics: 20 Divorces Registered Every Hour in the Country

Mahr News Agency has reported, based on marriage and divorce statistics provided by the National Organization for Civil Registration, that 20 divorces are registered every hour in the first nine months of the year 1395 (2016). The agency notes that 135,677 cases of divorce were registered in various provinces during this period, concluding that more than 20 divorce events occur in the country every hour. The report also states that the highest rates of divorce in the years 94 and 95 (2015-2016) occurred among women aged 25 to 29 and men aged 30 to 34, whereas from 83 to 93 (2004-2014), the highest rates were among women aged 20 to 24 and men aged 25 to 29. Mahr concludes that by reaching the year 94, the divorce rate for both genders has 'advanced a step' due to changes in the age structure of the population. Regarding the increase in divorce statistics in Iran, the head of the National Organization for Civil Registration previously stated that 55,718 divorces were registered in the first four months of the year, marking a 2.2% increase compared to the same period last year. Hamid Derakhshan-Nia announced that in the first four months of 95, the average age of divorce for men was 35.5 years and for women, it was 30.6 years. According to him, 47.5% of divorces occurred within the first five years of marriage, and 12.1% of these couples had lived together for less than a year. In contrast, Mahr's report indicates that in 94, the duration of marriage for 60% of registered divorces was less than five years, and 3% did not last even a year. Conversely, 30% of divorces in the same year were related to marriages that had lasted for over 30 years. The report also highlights that in 1390 (2011), there were 16 divorces registered for every 100 marriages, which increased to 23 divorces per 100 marriages in 94. While divorce rates have risen in Iran, marriage statistics have declined in recent years. According to the head of the National Organization for Civil Registration in August this year, nearly 235,000 marriages were registered in the first four months, reflecting a 2.2% decrease compared to the same period last year. The Ministry of Sports and Youth of Iran also stated last year that marriage has fallen to the fourth priority among youth, with the number of 'single-person households' on the rise. Officials of the Islamic Republic view divorce not as a 'social phenomenon' but as a 'social harm,' officially citing lack of understanding and reconciliation, family interference, failure to meet marriage conditions, and addiction as the main reasons for divorce in Iran. In May of this year, the Vice President for Women and Family Affairs described the rising age of marriage and increasing divorce rates as concerning issues in the country's demographic changes. Shahindokht Molaverdi stated that the emergence of various forms of life formation and new ways for couples to meet, the increasing rate of emotional divorces, and the declining willingness to have children are significant demographic issues in the country. The document 'General Family Policies,' which was communicated by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic to the heads of the three branches of government in September this year, emphasizes cultural promotion regarding 'the aversion to divorce' and 'continuous identification of the factors of divorce and family breakdown' and 'prevention of social harms and factors destabilizing the family institution, especially the issue of divorce.' 'Effective confrontation with the soft war of enemies aimed at undermining and distorting family relationships' is another aspect emphasized in the general family policies. According to the Office of Marriage Planning and Family Promotion in the Ministry of Sports and Youth, in the first seven months of this year, the provinces of Tehran, Alborz, Qom, Gilan, and Mazandaran recorded the highest rates of divorce registration. In this context, the proposal to establish 'special women's courts' was made by the Women's Faction of the Parliament.