South Korea Divorces
South Korea's number of divorces was 88,130 in 2025, down 3,021 from 2024. The record high was 166,617 in 2003. By province, Seoul was lowest (1.3 per 1,000 people) and Jeju highest (2.3 per 1,000 people).
1990–2025
Data table
| Year | Divorces |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 88,130 |
| 2024 | 91,151 |
| 2023 | 92,394 |
| 2022 | 93,232 |
| 2021 | 101,673 |
| 2020 | 106,500 |
| 2019 | 110,831 |
| 2018 | 108,684 |
| 2017 | 106,032 |
| 2016 | 107,328 |
| 2015 | 109,153 |
| 2014 | 115,510 |
| 2013 | 115,292 |
| 2012 | 114,316 |
| 2011 | 114,284 |
| 2010 | 116,858 |
| 2009 | 123,999 |
| 2008 | 116,535 |
| 2007 | 124,072 |
| 2006 | 124,524 |
| 2005 | 128,035 |
| 2004 | 138,932 |
| 2003 | 166,617 |
| 2002 | 144,910 |
| 2001 | 134,608 |
| 2000 | 119,455 |
| 1999 | 117,449 |
| 1998 | 116,294 |
| 1997 | 91,160 |
| 1996 | 79,895 |
| 1995 | 68,279 |
| 1994 | 65,015 |
| 1993 | 59,313 |
| 1992 | 53,539 |
| 1991 | 49,205 |
| 1990 | 45,694 |
By province, 2025 (per 1,000 people)
Data table
| Province | Divorces, per 1,000 people |
|---|---|
| Jeju | 2.3 |
| South Chungcheong | 2.0 |
| Incheon | 2.0 |
| South Gyeongsang | 1.9 |
| North Gyeongsang | 1.9 |
| South Jeolla | 1.9 |
| North Chungcheong | 1.9 |
| Jeonbuk | 1.8 |
| Gangwon | 1.8 |
| Gyeonggi | 1.8 |
| Ulsan | 1.8 |
| Daejeon | 1.7 |
| Busan | 1.6 |
| Gwangju | 1.5 |
| Daegu | 1.5 |
| Sejong | 1.4 |
| Seoul | 1.3 |
Context
This page counts divorces registered in South Korea each year, including both divorces by mutual agreement and those decided by a court.
Divorces rose steeply in the 1990s and jumped 27.6% in 1998 as the Asian financial crisis put families under economic strain. They peaked at 166,617 in 2003, then fell sharply the following year.
Divorces have declined for six straight years since 2019, reaching 88,130 in 2025 — the fewest since 1996. Part of the fall simply reflects fewer marriages: with fewer couples marrying each year, there are fewer marriages that can end in divorce.