The Office for National Statistics has published statistics for the number of divorces, dissolutions and annulments in 2015.
There were 101,055 divorces of opposite sex couples in 2015, a decrease of 9.1% compared with 111,169 in 2014 and a decline of 34% from the recent peak in 2003. Although divorce rates fell among all age groups, it is highest among both men and women aged 40 to 44.
The first divorces of same sex couples took place in 2015 with 12 divorces among female couples and 10 divorces among male couples. Marriages and divorces of same sex couples have only been possible in England and Wales since 29th March 2014.
The Office for National Statistics noted that the fall in divorces is consistent with a decline in the number of people getting married over the same period. The decrease in marriage may be due to the fact that more couples are choosing to live together rather than enter into marriage.