The UK is made up of numerous regions, each with varying divorce rates. The South West
region is on the lower end of the scale so, in this article, we’re going to talk about the
three reasons why divorce rates in the South West are not as high other places in the UK.
Research shows that the South West is a great place for a happier life. It’s no surprise, then, that it’s also touted as a place for happy and healthy marriages due to lower divorce rates.
Although family solicitors in Winchester, Exeter, Bradford-on-Avon, and many other popular
South West destinations, do see clients coming through their doors, this may be less so than other areas in the UK.
With an overall divorce rate in England and Wales being 33.3%,
compared to other parts of the country, the South West could be the place to be as a
married couple.
The question that still remains is why is the South West divorce rate lower? Of course, the
area is full of beautiful English villages and towns, with plenty to do, especially for young
families, which could be somewhere to start. In this article, we’re going to find out, so keep
reading to determine the three reasons divorce rates in the South West are not too high.
What Are the Top Reasons for Divorce?
Divorce happens for many reasons, and location isn’t always the reason for it. However,
statistics prove that there is a possibility that where you live impacts the chances of whether you will have a happy marriage or not. Some of the most common reasons spouses get divorced include:
- Financial issues
- Cheating
- Substance abuse
- Domestic abuse
- Lack of commitment
- Growing apart
- Communication problems
- Conflict
Another useful articles has been written on the common reasons people get divorced.
While many of these reasons for divorce don’t directly relate to where a person lives, the
reason they happen could reflect their living situation and happiness. For example, if
someone doesn’t enjoy their job and is struggling to earn a liveable wage, they may take to
drinking as a coping method.
Why Are Divorce Rates in the South West Lower?
The Office for National Statistics itself does not show regional divorce data, so the next best thing is regional search engine data. According to search engine research conducted in 2020, the places with the most concentrated divorce search queries were up North and in
the South East. So, why has the South West avoided these dreaded search terms?
1. Higher Salaries
It is undeniable that the South of England pays considerably more in wages and salaries than most other places across the UK, particularly more so than in Wales and the north of England.
When a married couple is struggling with money, such as working a job that doesn’t pay well and having a high rent/mortgage and bills on top, it is no surprise that many couples end their marriage due to arguing about money.
For this reason, we can determine higher
salaries have a more positive effect on peoples’ marriages. This way, there is perhaps less
concern about paying bills or owing debts, leading to less arguments and a healthier and
happier marriage.
2. Better Quality of Life
The South West is a beautiful part of the country which offers a better quality of life than
other UK areas, and statistics prove this. A charity called Happy City looked at equality, local conditions, sustainability, and more than 60 other factors, to determine the best place for quality of life in the UK. The one place that topped it all was Devon.
Some of the reasons why Devon was rated the place with the best quality of life was due to
its fantastic countryside, high levels of physical activity, air quality and more. Other South of England places that ranked high on the list included Bath, North East Somerset, and Dorset.
Where people have a better quality of life, they are more likely to be content in their
marriage, meaning there are less chances of spouses cheating, which often results in
divorce. Instead, in areas of contentment and happiness, there is certainly more chance of
couples having a happy and successful marriage.
3. There’s More Countryside
You might be thinking, how on earth does the countryside influence whether a marriage
lasts or not; there’s nothing to do in the countryside compared to the city? Well, that
statement is incorrect, and this can be proved by research conducted by an Estate Agency called Yopa. The findings were that 31% of those living in the countryside were ‘mostly
happy’ compared to the 25% living in a city.
If you are going to be unhappy with your living situation, this is going to have an impact on
your marriage, as mental health issues can rub off onto other people, cause arguments, and leave people feeling unsatisfied with their lives.
When such issues start to rise, that’s when people begin to consider whether they are happy in their marriage or not.
For this reason, we can conclude that living in the countryside leads to happier mental
health, perhaps resulting in a successful marriage and less chance for divorce.
Consider Moving to the South West For a Happier Marriage
If you are currently struggling in your marriage, or you and your partner are looking to get
married in the future, perhaps consider upping your lives and taking a new adventure. There are so many spots to move to in the South West.
It’s a beautiful part of the UK and is known to be a fantastic place to live your married years out and raise a family if that’s on the agenda.
