Nigeria has been ranked among the countries with the highest divorce rates, according to a recent report by Divorce.com, a U.S.-based website dedicated to supporting individuals navigating divorce. In a comprehensive study published in July 2024, Nigeria was placed eleventh out of twenty-six countries with significant divorce rates, surpassing nations like Canada, India, and Vietnam.
The report highlights a notable trend in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries—women are increasingly taking the initiative in divorce proceedings, signaling a shift in traditional gender roles. Financial independence and changing social attitudes are contributing factors, with Nigerian women now more empowered to make decisions about their marriages.
The Maldives tops the global list with a divorce rate of 5.52%, largely due to the lack of stigma associated with divorce and the financial independence of women. In stark contrast, India, with a divorce rate of just 0.01%, reflects the enduring social pressure to maintain marriages despite challenges.
In Nigeria, the divorce rate reached 2.9% in 2023, translating to 1.8 divorces per 1,000 people. Similar to the Maldives, Nigeria’s ranking is attributed to the growing financial independence of women, allowing them to sustain themselves without relying on a spouse.
Factors contributing to high divorce rates globally include religious beliefs, local divorce laws, social support systems, and economic opportunities. In Africa, age at first marriage, financial independence, polygyny, and HIV/AIDS risks are significant influences. The report also points out that conservative Christians in sub-Saharan Africa, who once viewed divorce as taboo, now see it as a better alternative to enduring domestic violence and infidelity.
Interestingly, the report also revealed that divorce is more common among women with secondary education, those living in urban areas, employed women, and those in monogamous unions in sub-Saharan Africa.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with these trends, the rising divorce rate serves as a mirror to the evolving social and economic dynamics within the country. This shift in marital patterns underscores the need for continued dialogue and support systems to address the complexities of modern relationships.
