Kuwait: 50% of marriages ended in divorce in first six months of 2025

Kuwait is facing a steep rise in divorce cases, with official figures showing that nearly one in two marriages collapsed during the first six months of 2025, prompting renewed debate on the need for mandatory premarital counselling and stronger reconciliation frameworks.

Official Data Reveals Alarming Trend

According to the Ministry of Justice, between January and June 2025, a total of 6,968 marriage contracts were registered, while 3,661 divorces were recorded in the same period — an average of 20 divorce cases per day. Additionally, 478 reconciliations were documented where couples chose to reunite after divorce.

Marriages involving Kuwaiti citizens represented the majority, accounting for 5,112 cases (73.4%). The breakdown of remaining unions included:

• 588 marriages between Kuwaiti men and non-Kuwaiti women,
• 230 marriages between Kuwaiti women and non-Kuwaiti men, and
• 1,038 marriages between non-Kuwaiti couples.

Breakdown of Divorce Cases

On the divorce front, the largest share was also between Kuwaiti couples:

• 2,198 divorces between Kuwaiti men and Kuwaiti women (60% of total cases),
• 676 divorces among non-Kuwaiti couples,
• 553 divorces between Kuwaiti men and non-Kuwaiti women, and
• 234 divorces between non-Kuwaiti men and Kuwaiti women.

Notably, 535 divorces (15%) occurred when the husband already had one or more wives, while 330 divorces were filed before the marriage was consummated.

Divorce Settlements and Legal Classifications

The statistics further revealed that:

• 74.2% of divorces were settled through ratification, without requiring court intervention,
• 18.5% were finalised in court, and
• 7.2% were classified as “conditional.”

In terms of classification, the most frequent type was the first revocable divorce (2,013 cases), followed by first irrevocable divorces (1,063 cases).

Calls for Reform from Family Law Experts

Legal experts and family practitioners warn that the rising divorce trend underscores systemic shortcomings in Kuwait’s family laws.

Attorney Enaam Haider emphasized the importance of preventive measures:

“Kuwait must intensify premarital guidance and make counselling sessions mandatory before marriage, especially in mixed marriages.”

She also cautioned that relying heavily on witness testimony in ratification cases — which constitute nearly three-quarters of all divorces — risks undermining women’s custodial and financial rights.

Attorney Israa Al Haddad echoed these concerns, urging for stronger reconciliation mechanisms:

“Family reconciliation offices must be given broader authority and clear deadlines for amicable mediation before a divorce is finalised. They should also be empowered to immediately resolve issues related to alimony, housing, and child custody.”

A Growing Social Challenge

With divorce rates rising sharply and many cases resolved outside court, analysts argue that Kuwait faces a critical social challenge that requires urgent reforms in family guidance, legal procedures, and support mechanisms to ensure both partners — particularly women — are not left vulnerable after separation.