Saudi Arabia has recorded a significant number of divorce cases in 2025, with approximately 57,595 divorces filed, averaging 157 per day. This translates to a divorce occurring every nine minutes.
Newly released data from the Ministry of Justice and the General Authority for Statistics reveals that divorce cases accounted for 12.6% of all registered marriages this year. A startling 65% of these divorces took place within the first year of marriage, suggesting a growing trend of early separations despite lavish weddings and emotional investments.
The Al Baha region led the country with the highest divorce rate, recording a 36% share. Riyadh and Hail followed with 21.7% and 19.2%, respectively. This troubling trend highlights a pattern of short-lived marriages across various regions in Saudi Arabia.
Personal stories, like that of Fahad Al Otaibi, reflect the difficulties many newlyweds face. After a grand wedding, he and his wife divorced just 45 days later. “We started arguing a week after the wedding,” Fahad explained. “Despite all the preparations, we realized we were incompatible.” Similarly, Reem Al Qahtani’s marriage ended in just 40 days, as she realized that love alone could not sustain a union without communication and responsibility.
Ahmed Al Raithi’s marriage also ended in divorce after returning from a honeymoon. He explained, “She wanted perfection. I wanted peace. We couldn’t meet in the middle.”
Social specialist Ahmed Al Najjar attributed these high divorce rates to a lack of emotional readiness and unrealistic expectations of marriage. According to Al Najjar, several factors contribute to the high divorce rate, including expensive weddings, rushed partner selection, excessive family interference, and idealized courtship behavior that fades after marriage.
“Marriage isn’t just a celebration or honeymoon,” Al Najjar said. “It’s a lifelong commitment that requires maturity, communication, and realistic expectations, which are often absent in today’s marriages.”
The rising divorce statistics in Saudi Arabia highlight the urgent need for a deeper understanding of marriage as a long-term commitment, not just a fleeting event.
Saudi Arabia plans to introduce alcohol at tourist venues by 2026 as part of Vision 2030 — Get more details on this significant shift in Saudi policy
