Open Data Insight of the Day

In Basel-Stadt, the most recent data on divorces for the year 2024 indicates a total of 361 divorces. This figure does not place 2024 among the three lowest years for divorces, which include 2023 with 285 divorces. The highest number of divorces occurred in 2010, with a total of 648. The average age of women at divorce in 2024 was 45.6 years, while for men it was 48.5 years. The youngest and oldest ages recorded for women and men in the long-term data range from 18 to 98 for women and 18 to 90 for men. The average age difference between partners was 2.9 years, with the maximum recorded difference being 54 years. On average, couples were married for 14.3 years before divorcing in 2024, with the longest marriage lasting 63 years.

Looking at the long-term trends since 1979, the number of divorces in Basel-Stadt has shown fluctuations. Initially, the numbers hovered around the mid-400s during the late 1970s and early 1980s. A notable increase occurred in the 1990s, peaking at 580 divorces in 1999. The early 2000s saw a significant drop in 2000, followed by a rise to a peak in 2010. Since then, the trend has generally been downward, with some fluctuations. Table 1 provides a detailed view of these changes over the years.

The age at which individuals divorce has shifted over the decades. In 1984, the average ages were 37.7 for women and 40.2 for men. By 2024, these averages had increased to 45.6 for women and 48.5 for men, indicating that divorces are occurring later in life. The average age difference between partners has remained relatively stable, with minor variations. Figure 3, if available, would illustrate these trends over time.

Nationality patterns in divorces have also evolved. In the early years, Swiss–Swiss divorces were predominant. Over time, the proportion of Swiss–Foreign and Foreign–Foreign divorces has increased, reflecting a more diverse demographic. Table 2 and Figure 2, if available, would provide further insights into these shifts.

Seasonal patterns in divorces reveal that November tends to have the highest average number of divorces, at 49.5, while July sees the lowest, at 20.6. Figure 1, a heatmap, would show any notable clusters or structural breaks, such as a pronounced peak in autumn during the 1990s.

Cohort comparisons of marriages and subsequent divorces by year of marriage, as shown in Table 4 and Figure 4, indicate that marriages from earlier years, particularly before 1992, tend to be more stable, contrary to the general trend that older marriages have a higher chance of divorce.

In summary, the long-term trend in Basel-Stadt shows a decrease in divorce numbers after a peak in 2010. The age at divorce has increased, with individuals divorcing later in life. Nationality patterns have shifted towards more diverse combinations, and seasonal trends show a peak in divorces during November.