What percentage of marriages end in divorce?
In the United States, the crude divorce rate is 2.4 divorces per 1,000 people (CDC/NCHS, 2022; 673,989 divorces), and has been declining since its 1980 peak.
An estimated ~41% of first marriages end in divorce — a share that is also declining; second marriages run higher, roughly 60–70%. This percentage is a projection based on current rates, not a hard count.
Across the European Union, the crude divorce rate is 2.0 per 1,000 people (Eurostat, 2023); it peaked in 2006 and has slowly declined since.
A note on reading these figures: a crude divorce rate is a hard, measured fact, while a figure for the share of marriages that will end in divorce is an estimate or projection and should be read as one.
| Region / Country | Crude divorce rate (per 1,000) | Source & year |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2.4 | CDC/NCHS, 2022 |
| European Union (average) | 2.0 | Eurostat, 2023 |
| Latvia | 2.8 | Eurostat, 2023 |
| Lithuania | 2.5 | Eurostat, 2023 |
| Finland | 2.1 | Eurostat, 2023 |
| Romania | 1.2 | Eurostat, 2023 |
| Slovenia | 1.0 | Eurostat, 2023 |
Per-country detail and localized figures are coming with localization.
Why do marriages end?
In a study of divorced individuals (Scott et al., 2013), participants cited the following reasons for their divorce:
- 75% — lack of commitment
- 59.6% — infidelity
- 57.7% — too much conflict and arguing
- ~45% — marrying too young
- 36.7% — financial problems
- 34.6% — substance abuse
- 23.5% — domestic violence
These figures come from a sample of divorced individuals — not from all divorces. The percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents could cite multiple factors. For broader context on why marriages end, see Amato & Previti (2003).
How long do couples wait before seeking help?
On average, couples wait 2.68 years from when serious problems begin until they enter therapy (Doherty et al., 2021, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy). Researchers sometimes call this delay the prevention gap — the window in which small, addressable issues are left to grow before anyone intervenes.
How much does couples therapy cost?
Couples therapy is usually priced per session, and the cost varies widely by country — see the table below.
Access can be constrained, too. In a 2022 survey, 46% of psychologists reported they could not meet the demand for treatment, 60% had no openings for new patients, and 72% had longer waitlists than before (APA, 2022).
| Country | Cost per session |
|---|---|
| United States | $100–300 |
| Germany | €80–150 |
| France | €50–120 |
| Italy | €60–120 |
| Netherlands | €80–130 |
| Spain | €50–100 |
| Portugal | €50–100 |
| Czechia | 800–2,500 Kč |
| Poland | 150–300 zł |
| Russia | ₽3,000–8,000 |
| Türkiye | ₺500–2,000 |
Typical per-session ranges in local currency, compiled by the Partner Mood Team (2025).
Does relationship help actually work?
According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, around 75% of couples who attend couples therapy report an improved relationship, and roughly 90% report improved emotional health (AAMFT).
Digital interventions have also been studied. In one randomized study, a web-based relationship program improved relationship satisfaction with an effect size of Cohen's d = 0.69 (Doss et al., 2016, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology). This is a finding about a specific research program — not a claim about Partner Mood, and not a guarantee of results.
Can relationship problems be predicted?
Relationship research — notably the work of the Gottman Institute — shows that certain interaction patterns relate to a relationship's trajectory. Examples include the ratio of positive to negative exchanges during conflict and a set of communication habits often called the 'Four Horsemen'.
This is a research-based insight into patterns, not a prediction engine. Partner Mood does not predict divorce and does not guarantee outcomes.