More than 2,100 couples in Cyprus divorced in 2024, a figure equivalent to almost six separations a day. Some marriages lasted only a few months, while hundreds ended after 20 or more years together. The figures also show significant differences between provinces, along with a notable number of divorces among families with children.
According to Statistical Service data, 2,107 divorces were recorded in 2024 overall, compared with 2,134 in 2023. The decline was small, just 27 cases, with the total remaining above 2,000 for a second consecutive year.
In 2022, 1,503 divorces were recorded, rising to 2,134 the following year. The year with the most divorces remains 2019, when 2,308 were recorded in total. That amounted to 2.16 divorces per 1,000 residents in 2024.
Figures by province
Nicosia recorded the most divorces, reaching 794 in 2024, down from 891 the year before.
Limassol came second with 575 divorces, up from 555 in 2023.
Larnaca followed with 397, compared with 376 in 2023, while in Paphos divorces rose from 217 to 250.
In the free province of Famagusta, 91 were recorded, four fewer than the previous year.
Nicosia’s position at the top is consistent with it being the province with the largest population.
33 divorces before the first year of marriage
The data on marriage duration is particularly notable. In 33 cases, the divorce was issued before the first year was complete. At four years of marriage, 130 divorces were recorded, and at five years, 143.
Separations are not confined to the early years of marriage. A total of 359 couples divorced after 10 to 14 years of marriage, while another 299 did so after 15 to 19 years.
The largest category was marriages of 20 years or more, with 484 divorces.
The average duration of marriages that ended in divorce in 2024 was 13.2 years.
Almost half involved no dependent children
Of the divorces in 2024, 1,047 involved couples with no dependent children. In 541 cases there was one child, and in 397 cases two. As the number of children increases, the number of divorces recorded decreases: 72 divorces involved couples with three dependent children, 18 with four, and just three with five or more. Families with more children are also less common in the general population.
In total, 1,638 dependent children were linked to divorces issued in 2024. Most, 537, were aged between 5 and 9.
Mainly among Cypriots
Most divorces in 2024 involved couples where both spouses were Cypriot. A total of 1,167 such cases were recorded.
There were also divorces between Cypriots and people of other nationalities, including from Greece, Russia and Ukraine. Among Greek men, 61 divorces involved marriage to a Cypriot woman, while in a further 46 cases both spouses were from Greece.
