Global Divorce and Separation Rates Are Rising
Global divorce filings increased in 2024 and early 2025, with several countries reporting higher separation rates than in previous years. In the United States, the American Psychological Association notes that about 40% to 50% of marriages end in divorce, and recent administrative data from state courts shows a rebound in filings after a temporary pandemic-era decline. In parts of Europe and Asia, civil registries and national statistics offices report similar upward trends, driven by financial stress, shifting norms, and longer life expectancy. According to the latest reports from national statistical agencies and the World Health Organization, divorce rates remain elevated in 2025, especially among couples married in the 2010s. American Psychological Association divorce data
Financial pressure is a leading driver of these separations. Inflation, housing costs, and consumer debt have strained household budgets, and surveys by major financial institutions show that money remains the top cited reason for conflict in relationships. Credit reporting agencies and banking data indicate that personal bankruptcy and delinquency rates rose in 2024, and family court filings in several U.S. states increased alongside them. The U.S. Census Bureau and national household surveys confirm that dual-income households are not immune, with work-life balance and remote-work friction adding to the strain. Forbes analysis on rising divorce rates
Corporate Mergers and Partnerships Are Collapsing
In the business world, the phrase nobody wants to stay together applies to mergers and acquisitions that unravel after close. Deal data from advisory firms and regulatory filings show that a notable share of announced combinations in 2024 were terminated, abandoned, or restructured before completion. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission database lists multiple large-scale deals withdrawn in early 2025, often citing regulatory hurdles, valuation gaps, or cultural incompatibility. In the technology and healthcare sectors, integration failures and talent departures have made headlines, with companies publicly acknowledging that combined entities are underperforming expectations. SEC EDGAR filings on withdrawn mergers
Failed partnerships are not limited to large-cap companies. Small and mid-market firms report rising contract cancellations and joint-venture dissolutions, according to trade associations and credit reporting data. In retail and consumer goods, brands that once pursued rapid consolidation are now unwinding combinations to cut costs and simplify operations. The trend mirrors what relationship researchers observe in personal unions: when external shocks hit, weak bonds break first. Market analysts tracking deal flow note that 2025 has seen a pullback in new merger announcements, while termination notices and restructuring announcements have climbed. Forbes coverage on 2025 M&A trends
What Data Shows About Staying Together
Quantitative data from government agencies, courts, and financial regulators underscore the theme that nobody wants to stay together. In the U.S., the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts reports that family law filings remain elevated, while the Federal Reserve's household debt data shows record balances that compound relationship stress. Internationally, Eurostat and national statistics offices publish divorce and separation indicators that align with the U.S. pattern. On the corporate side, merger termination rates and post-merger integration failure metrics from advisory benchmarks point