More than 2,000 couples divorced in the North last year, according to a new report.
Last year's total was 2,165, according to the Northern Ireland Statistics Research Agency. Just over 2,000 children under the age of 16 were affected by the court separations.
In the early 1960s the annual divorce rate was just over 100, but it has been rising steadily peaking at 2,300 two years ago.
Even through more and more are getting married, financial pressures were blamed as one of the three key reasons for permanent break-ups. I
A spokesperson for Relate, the relationship counselling organisation said stress and a breakdown in communications were often to blame.
He added: "Often due to financial pressures, both partners are working long hours and have little time to spend together," he added. Last year 7,599 couples married, an increase of 318 on the previous 12 months.
Other key findings in the latest report include:
- A population increase of 7,300 to 1,696,000
- The lowest ever number of births, 21,385.
- Cancer and heart disease remain the single biggest killer with 14,586 registered deaths.