A recent report from the Vanier Institute of the Family found that divorce rates in Canada reached a new low in 2020 of 5.6 per 1,000 married people. That year, approximately 43,000 divorces were granted, the lowest number since 1973. The report notes that part of the decline was related to the COVID-19 pandemic as lockdowns disrupted and delayed court proceedings. The lower divorce rate is also tied to the fact fewer people — especially younger people — are getting married in the first place.

Nonetheless, divorces are declining across the board for those who do decide to get hitched. So, why are Canadian marriages less likely to end in divorce?

Today in The Conversation Canada, Sorin Rizeanu from the University of Victoria suggests one reason: Canadians can’t afford to get divorced. Housing, inflation, other living expenses and the legal costs of divorce are increasingly high in Canada. The cost of moving and paying for lawyers is enough to make many people think twice about breaking up.

“Canadians are divorcing less, and not just because they might be afraid to be alone, break up their family or receive social backlash,” Rizeanu writes. “More likely, they also fear the real financial hit and change in lifestyle the divorce will inevitably cause.”

Also today:

• Canada is falling behind its peers in terms of living standards — can it catch up?
• Historic Haida Nation agreement shows the world how to uphold Indigenous rights
• Representing Gaza: Artists are using social media-based comics as resources and resistance
• Professional sport commissioners are fighting to preserve league integrity amid gambling scandals

All the best,