Kerala sees rise in short-lived marriages as divorce petitions climb

Thiruvananthapuram: While around 1.10 lakh marriages are registered in Kerala each year, the average number of divorce petitions filed in family courts annually is estimated to be around 30,000. Although most of these petitions come from couples who married in previous years, the figures indicate a rise in short-lived marital relationships.

The massive backlog of cases in courts also suggests that couples seeking divorce often remain entangled in legal proceedings for several years without being able to finalise their separation. These statistics were released by the High Court in response to a Right to Information (RTI) application.

Meanwhile, former family court judges note that an even higher number of couples live separately after sending legal notices, without formally filing for divorce. With the growing number of petitions, most districts now have two or three family courts, yet many cases remain unresolved. Thiruvananthapuram has recorded the highest number of divorce cases in the state, followed by Kollam.