India’s marriages are encountering new challenges in 2025, as the national divorce rate stands at 0.6 per 1,000 married couples.

This relatively low figure reflects robust family traditions; however, there are increases in certain regions.

Presented table presents the divorce rates for all 28 states and 8 union territories, highlighting significant disparities.

Some states experience higher breakup rates, while others maintain stable marriages.

State-wise divorce rates in India

Rank	State/Union Territory	Divorce Rate (per 1,000 Married Couples)
1	Mizoram	4.1*
2	Maharashtra	1.9
3	Karnataka	1.2
4	Kerala	1.1*
5	Uttar Pradesh	0.9
6	West Bengal	0.8
7	Delhi	0.8
8	Tamil Nadu	0.7
9	Telangana	0.7
10	Nagaland	0.7*
11	Sikkim	0.7*
12	Goa	0.7*
13	India (National Average)	0.6
14	Andhra Pradesh	0.6*
15	Assam	0.6*
16	Chhattisgarh	0.6*
17	Gujarat	0.6*
18	Himachal Pradesh	0.6*
19	Jammu and Kashmir	0.6*
20	Meghalaya	0.6*
21	Tripura	0.6*
22	Arunachal Pradesh	0.5*
23	Haryana	0.5*
24	Jharkhand	0.5*
25	Madhya Pradesh	0.5*
26	Manipur	0.5*
27	Odisha	0.5*
28	Punjab	0.5*
29	Rajasthan	0.5*
30	Uttarakhand	0.5*
31	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	0.4*
32	Chandigarh	0.4*
33	DNHDD (Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu)	0.4*
34	Ladakh	0.4*
35	Lakshadweep	0.4*
36	Puducherry	0.4*
37	Bihar	0.3

The table organizes states according to their divorce rates, with higher figures indicating a greater number of couples separating.

Mizoram ranks first with a rate of 4.1 per 1,000, followed by Maharashtra (1.9), Karnataka (1.2), Kerala (1.1), and Uttar Pradesh (0.9).

The national average is 0.6, but Bihar (0.3) and several smaller territories such as Puducherry (0.4) have lower rankings.

Mizoram’s elevated rate is linked to its matrilineal culture, where women enjoy greater autonomy and divorce is less stigmatized.

Maharashtra’s rate of 1.9 reflects the urban lifestyle in Mumbai, where employment pressures and stress contribute to marital breakdowns.

Karnataka’s 1.2 is influenced by the fast-paced technology sector in Bangalore, complicating personal relationships.

Kerala’s 1.1 indicates that educated women are pursuing improved opportunities following unsuccessful marriages.

What accounts for the low rates in some states? Bihar’s 0.3 is a result of strong familial bonds and societal expectations to remain married.

Territories like Lakshadweep (0.4) feature small populations with tightly-knit communities, which discourage divorce.

Why Are There Differences? Key Factors

Several elements account for the varying divorce rates in India 2025:

Cultural Norms: The 4.1 rate in Mizoram flourishes within a matrilineal society, where women inherit property and divorce is socially accepted.

In contrast, Bihar’s 0.3 rate is rooted in patriarchal families, where divorce is viewed as a source of shame.

Urbanization: Urban regions such as Maharashtra (1.9, 50% urban) experience higher divorce rates due to the financial independence and reduced family interference that city life offers.

Conversely, rural states like Bihar (88% rural) maintain lower rates through community oversight.

Education and Employment: Kerala’s 1.1 rate is associated with high literacy (94%), which empowers women to exit unsatisfactory marriages.

In Uttar Pradesh (0.9), lower literacy (67%) and limited job opportunities for women necessitate remaining married.

Legal Accessibility: The 1.2 rate in Karnataka is influenced by the presence of more courts in Bangalore, facilitating the divorce process.

In contrast, remote regions like Ladakh (0.4) have fewer legal professionals, which hinders the process.

Economic Influences: Affluent states like Gujarat (0.6) exhibit moderate divorce rates as financial stability alleviates tensions, whereas poverty in Jharkhand (0.5) compels couples to remain together for survival.

Progress and Obstacles

India’s divorce rate in 2025 remains low at 0.6, significantly lower than that of the US (2.5) or Europe (2.0), attributed to strong familial values.

Urban areas are witnessing a 30-40% increase (The Legal Crusader, 2025), propelled by evolving norms and women’s empowerment. States such as Maharashtra exemplify this transformation.

However, challenges endure. The stigma in Bihar forces unhappy couples to stay together, and the low rates in regions like Chandigarh (0.4) indicate insufficient data reporting.

Source

• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. (2021). National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21: India report. International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS).