Nearly half of all marriages in the U.S. end in divorce and some states have more couples splitting than others. Best Life analyzed the most recent data made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine wich states have the highest divorce rates.
Based on those findings, which were calculated per 1,000 total population, here are the states with the highest divorce rates.
8. Alaska
Divorce rate: 3.7
There are many reasons why couples get divorced but the fact that it is a relatively quick and easy process in Alaska may be the reason why so many marriages end in the state.
7. Alabama
Divorce rate: 3.7
Divorce rates in Alabama may be much higher than the rest of the U.S. but it is also among the states that have seen the largest decrease in divorces too. Thing may not be as dire as they seem in Alabama.
6. Wyoming
Divorce rate: 3.8
Many couples who wed in Wyoming are young and Casper, Wy. psychiatrist Steen Goddik believes this is influencing divorce rates in the state. The theory is that young people have not developed the skills to communicate properly yet, according to the Deseret News.
5. Utah
Divorce rate: 3.8
For three decades Utah has seen an above-average divorce rate in the U.S. This may come down to the fact that the state's marriage rates are much higher than the rest of the country. More marriages mean more can end in divorce.
4. Oklahoma
Divorce rate: 3.8
Finances may play a role in Oklahoma's high divorce rate.
"The biggest [reason] that hits you right in the face is your finances," Bill Sharp, a professor of psychology at Oklahoma City University, told KOKH. "We have so many people so many families living below the poverty [line] in Oklahoma."
3. Idaho
Divorce rate: 3.8
The divorce rate in Idaho is likely a numbers game. The state has one of the highest marriage rates, which means the chances of divorce are greater.
2. Arkansas
Divorce rate: 4.1
Couples in Arkansas are getting married at a much younger age but they are not staying together.
1. Nevada
Divorce rate: 4.4
It is not surprising that the state that is home to Sin City, has the highest divorce rates in America.
"It may just be the culture of Las Vegas that has people getting married quickly and not thinking about the probability of long-term success," said Stephen Fife, a marriage counselor in southern Nevada, according to Las Vegas Sun. "They are not taking divorce seriously, either."
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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