Divorce Rates in Russia by Region: A Closer Look at the North Caucasus and Beyond
Recent reporting indicates that the North Caucasus republics show the highest divorce levels in the country, based on Rosstat data reported by Vedomosti. The pattern highlights regional differences in marriage stability across Russia.
In 2022, Ingushetia recorded 2,542 divorces per 1,000 marriages, the highest rate in the nation. Other North Caucasus regions also experienced elevated divorce figures per 1,000 registered marriages, with Chechnya at 2,069, Dagestan at 1,967, Karachay-Cherkessia at 1,520, and North Ossetia–Alania at 1,390.
Across the broader landscape, marriage longevity varied. Tuva reported 452 divorces per 1,000 marriages, while Saint Petersburg showed 462, Moscow 468, Chukotka 511, and Tatarstan 522. These numbers illustrate a mix of stability and volatility in marital unions across different federal subjects.
In total, 2022 saw 1.05 million marriages and 682.85 thousand divorces registered in Russia. Compared with 2021, marriages increased by 12.4 percent and divorces rose by 5.7 percent, signaling a shift in family dynamics and social trends.
Over the past decade, Rosstat data show a gradual rise in the average age at first marriage. In the most common pattern, men tend to marry around 25.2 years old while women typically marry around 23.2 years old, marking a persistent gender gap in the timing of marriage.
Analysts note that regional differences in socioeconomic conditions, cultural norms, and migration patterns likely influence these divorce and marriage trends. The North Caucasus shows higher volatility in marital stability, while other regions display more gradual shifts in family formation and dissolution. Ongoing monitoring by Rosstat and regional authorities continues to shed light on how demographic, economic, and policy factors intersect to shape marriage outcomes across the country.
Attribution: Rosstat data cited by Vedomosti