Divorce soars by more than 150% over past decade

The number of divorced people has soared by more than 150% since 2002.

Figures from Census 2011 reveal the number has jumped from 35,059 in 2002 to 87,770 in 2011. However, Ireland continues to have one of the lowest divorce rates in Europe.

The increase in the number of divorced people has driven the marital breakdown rate up from 8.7% in 2006 to 9.7% in 2011.