Divorces in Northern Cyprus increase by 21%

The gap between the number of marriages and divorces in Northern Cyprus is narrowing, raising concerns among experts. This is confirmed by official judicial and statistical data for the period 2017–2024.

Over eight years, 9,259 marriages and 7,574 divorces were registered in Northern Cyprus. In 2017, there were 1,205 marriages and 864 divorces — a difference of 341 cases. By 2024, however, the situation had changed: marriages totaled 1,104, divorces 1,047, with the gap shrinking to just 57 cases.

Of particular concern is the increase in divorces among couples with long-term marriages. In 2024, 308 divorces occurred in marriages lasting 16 years or more. Another 150 families split after 11–15 years of marriage, and 238 after 6–10 years. Among shorter marriages: 71 couples divorced after 5 years, 48 after 4 years, 61 after 3 years, 84 after 2 years, and 87 couples dissolved their marriage after just 1 year.

The reasons for divorce were distributed as follows: 732 cases were finalized by mutual consent of the parties or acceptance of one party’s claim, 288 due to “violation of marital foundations,” and 27 based on two years of separation.

Most divorces involved families with children. Of the 1,047 couples who divorced in Northern Cyprus in 2024, 661 had children: 315 had one child, 273 had two, 52 had three, 16 had four, and 5 families had five children. 386 couples were childless.

The geographical distribution of divorces was as follows: 404 in Nicosia, 281 in Kyrenia, 247 in Famagusta, 63 in Iskele, 38 in Morphou, and 14 in Lefka.

The overall trend over eight years shows a 21.18% increase in divorces. In 2017 there were 864 cases, rising to 1,148 in 2023, and 1,047 in 2024.

According to experts, if this trend continues, the number of divorces may soon surpass the number of marriages. This is seen as a serious sign of a family relationship crisis in Northern Cyprus.