30-09-2021 - In 2020, the number of divorces was the lowest in the last 19 years

In 2020

Number of divorces was the lowest in the last 19 years

Provisional data on marriages dissolved by divorce show that in 2020, 511 divorces were decreed for couples whose residence was in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, down by 29 over 2019, which corresponds to a crude divorce rate of 2,0‰ (2,1‰ in 2019). The number of divorces recorded in 2019 is the lowest since 2002.

Of the divorces decreed, 509 concerned opposite-sex divorces and 2 same-sex divorces (1 male and 1 female).

Between 2019 and 2020, the municipalities of Câmara de Lobos (6), Porto Moniz (2), Santana (1), São Vicente (9) and Porto Santo (2) were the only ones to record an increase in the number of divorces.

Calheta was the municipality that registered the lowest divorce rate (1.1‰). In São Vicente (3.1‰), Porto Moniz (2.6‰), Santa Cruz (2.5‰) and Ribeira Brava (2.2‰) divorce rates per 1,000 inhabitants exceeded the regional value (2.0‰).

In 2020, the average age at divorce was 47.6 years for men and 44.3 years for women (46.8 years and 44.3 years in 2019, respectively).

Of the decreed divorces, only 23.7% resulted from marriages lasting more than 24 years.