Divorce Up 50%, Marriages Down 30%: The Numbers Shaking Mauritius’ Social Fabric

Civil marriages in Mauritius have sharply declined, with just 8,220 unions recorded in 2024—a stark drop from over 11,000 in the late 1990s. Experts attribute the trend to financial pressures, shifting social norms, and a post-pandemic reluctance to commit, signalling a profound societal shift away from traditional matrimony.

A Steady Decline

The downward trend began in 2010, with marriages dipping below 10,000 by 2013. Though numbers stabilised briefly, the COVID-19 crisis caused a historic slump—just 6,929 weddings in 2020. Despite expectations of recovery, figures have failed to rebound, with only 8,186 marriages in 2021 and a further decline in 2023 and 2024.

Sociologist Rajen Suntoo explained that younger generations now prioritise personal growth over marriage.

Today’s youth focus on education, careers, and financial security. Weddings are no longer a given—they’re a costly investment many avoid,” he said.

Rising living costs, housing shortages, and fears of debt deter couples from formalising relationships.

Divorce Rates Compound the Crisis

As marriages decline, divorces are rising—one in three Mauritian marriages now ends in separation.

Mokshda Pertaub, a family lawyer, warns that many couples enter marriage unprepared. “Love isn’t enough. Marriage demands emotional and financial responsibility, yet too few understand the legal implications,” she explained.

Haniff Peerun, President of the Mauritius Labour Congress, added that economic instability and social media’s influence have reshaped attitudes. “Young people see marriage as a social contract, not just romance. Many women now prefer independence over risking domestic strife,” he noted.

Key Observations:

• 1990s: 11,000+ marriages annually
• 2020: 6,929 (pandemic low)
• 2024: 8,220 (no post-COVID recovery)
• 1 in 3 marriages now end in divorce

A New Era of Relationships

Alternative arrangements—cohabitation, civil partnerships, and casual unions—are replacing traditional weddings.

Suntoo observed that while these lack legal recognition, they offer flexibility modern couples crave. “The institution isn’t disappearing, but its role is evolving,” he added.

With no sign of reversal, Mauritius faces a demographic challenge: fewer marriages, fewer births, and an ageing workforce. Peerun is urging government action: “We need policies to support youth—before it’s too late.”

Source: Defi Media