Which Faiths Report the Highest Divorce Rates? Data, Context, and Practical Guidance

Key Takeaway

Across U.S.-based survey summaries frequently cited by law firms and relationship resources, those identifying as Protestant tend to show the highest reported prevalence of having ever divorced among major religious categories, often around 51% in compiled Pew-based breakdowns, though this figure reflects self-reported lifetime divorce prevalence within a sample and not an annual divorce rate. [1] [2]

By contrast, Catholics are often listed with lower reported prevalence (around 19%), while several minority faiths are cited with single-digit or low double-digit figures in these summaries. [1] [2]

What the Numbers Mean-and Don’t Mean

Most widely shared figures circulating online summarize
the share of respondents who report having ever divorced
in large surveys, not the number of divorces per year per 1,000 people. That distinction matters: lifetime prevalence is influenced by age distribution, marital history, and sample composition, not just current marital dissolution dynamics. [1] [2]

Additionally, Protestant totals aggregate diverse denominations. Breakouts often show Evangelical Protestants cited as having the highest share within the Protestant category in some summaries, while other Protestant traditions (e.g., historically Black Protestant, mainline) may appear lower in certain datasets. [1]

Commonly Cited U.S. Breakdowns (Survey-Based)

The following categories are frequently reported in publicly accessible summaries referencing Pew Research Center breakdowns. While exact percentages can vary by study year, sample, and reporting method, representative summaries report approximately:

Protestant : around 51% of surveyed adults reporting having ever been divorced, within an aggregated Protestant category that includes evangelical, mainline, and historically Black Protestant groups. [1] [2]
Catholic : about 19%. [1] [2]
Jewish : often cited near 9%. [2]
Mormon (Latter-day Saint) : often listed near 7-9%. [1] [2]
Muslim : often listed near 8%. [2]
Hindu : often listed near 5%. [2]
Buddhist : sometimes cited near 10%. [2]
Sikh : sometimes cited near 6%. [2]
Jehovah’s Witness : sometimes cited near 9-12% depending on the summary. [1] [2]
Atheist : often listed near 11%. [2]

These figures should be understood as indicative rather than definitive because they depend on the specific survey instrument, timeframe, and the way religious identity is categorized and measured. [1] [2]

Why Protestants Often Appear Highest in U.S. Summaries

Several factors can contribute to higher reported lifetime divorce prevalence among self-identified Protestants in U.S. surveys:

Category breadth : Protestantism includes many denominations with varied doctrines and cultural norms; aggregating them can elevate the overall prevalence compared with more homogeneous groups. [1]
Demographics : The Protestant share of the U.S. population has historically been large, and lifetime divorce prevalence can rise with age cohorts that have had more time to experience marriage and divorce. [1]
Practice vs. affiliation : Attendance and active practice correlate with lower divorce odds across traditions; nominal affiliation without frequent attendance is often associated with higher risk. [1]

How to Interpret and Use These Numbers Responsibly

When you see a claim that a certain religion has “the highest divorce rate,” consider these steps to avoid misinterpretation:

Check the metric : Determine whether you’re looking at lifetime prevalence (ever divorced) versus an annual divorce rate. The former is common in religion breakouts; the latter is uncommon by faith group. [1]
Look for denominational detail : Evangelical, mainline, and historically Black Protestant churches can differ significantly in divorce prevalence. If a source collapses them, nuance is lost. [1]
Account for attendance : Weekly or frequent attendance is associated with lower divorce risk across many traditions. If a dataset doesn’t control for attendance, findings may conflate affiliation and practice. [2]
Consider sample composition : Age structure, region, and socioeconomic factors influence divorce prevalence. Cross-compare multiple sources before drawing firm conclusions. [1] [2]

Actionable Steps: Find Reliable, Up-to-Date Data

If you need the most current figures for research, reporting, or planning, you can:

Search the Pew Research Center site : Use search terms such as “religion and marriage,” “divorce by religion,” and “religious landscape study” to locate the latest relevant crosstabs. If you cannot find a direct page summarizing divorce by faith, consult the Pew Religious Landscape datasets and codebooks.
Review large national datasets : National surveys like the General Social Survey (GSS) sometimes include marital history and religious identity variables. You can search the GSS website or data portals for variables like marital status, ever divorced, religious preference, and attendance.
Check methodology notes : Confirm whether results are weighted, the sample size for each religious subgroup, confidence intervals, and whether measures are lifetime or current status.

Because direct, single-table pages listing divorce by religion may not always be published in a stable URL, you may need to navigate through each organization’s data portals. When in doubt, look for downloadable codebooks and technical documentation and verify the “fielded” year for recency.

Practical Applications: Counseling, Community Programs, and Prevention

If you lead a faith-based organization or community group and want to support marital stability, consider a structured approach:

Assess needs confidentially : Conduct anonymous surveys on relationship stressors (finances, communication, childcare). Use plain-language forms and assure confidentiality.
Offer tiered support : Provide workshops on communication and conflict resolution; establish peer mentoring for newlyweds; and maintain referral lists for licensed marriage and family therapists. You can also develop scheduling options for shift workers and caregivers.
Normalize early help-seeking : Encourage couples to seek help at the first sign of gridlock. Frame counseling as skills training, not failure.
Train lay leaders : Offer basic training for facilitators on boundaries, mandatory reporting, and referral protocols to clinical professionals.
Measure outcomes : Track participation, satisfaction, and short-term relationship skills gains through brief pre/post questionnaires, while protecting privacy.

Potential challenges include stigma around counseling, limited childcare, and work-hour conflicts. Solutions may include childcare stipends, hybrid schedules, and partnerships with local clinics that offer sliding-scale fees. Alternative approaches include small-group curricula, premarital bootcamps, and targeted financial-coaching cohorts.

For Individuals: Step-by-Step Guidance if You’re Considering Divorce

Clarify goals and safety : If there is any risk of harm, prioritize safety planning. For non-urgent circumstances, list your goals (reconciliation attempts, co-parenting arrangements, financial clarity).
Explore reconciliation resources : Many faith communities offer pastoral counseling and can refer you to licensed therapists. You can ask your congregation’s office for confidential referrals and ask about counselors who respect your beliefs.
Consult legal counsel early : Family law varies by state. You can search for “family law attorney” and your state bar association’s lawyer referral service to locate verified attorneys who offer consultations.
Document finances : Assemble tax returns, pay stubs, account statements, insurance policies, and a household budget. Doing this early helps any process-reconciliation, mediation, or litigation.
Consider mediation : Ask prospective attorneys about mediation and collaborative law options to reduce conflict and cost where appropriate.

Limitations and How to Avoid Misuse

Religious divorce statistics can be sensitive and easily misused. Treat them as descriptive, not prescriptive; avoid drawing moral judgments from aggregate patterns. Remember that within any tradition there is large variation by region, ethnicity, congregation culture, and socioeconomic context. [1] [2]

Bottom Line

In U.S. survey-based summaries, Protestants are most often reported with the highest lifetime prevalence of having ever divorced among major religious categories, while Catholics and several minority faiths are frequently reported lower. Always examine the metric (lifetime prevalence vs. rate), subgroup detail, attendance, and methods before making decisions or public claims. [1] [2]

References

[1] LoveToKnow (2023). Breaking Down Divorce Rates by Religion.

[2] Aiello & DiFalco LLP (2025). The Relationship Between Religion and Divorce.