Unveiling Divorce Trends in Kerala: Inferences from Family Courts

Abstract

The study analyses the Kerala's changing divorce scenario, positioning the state as an expanding divorce capital in India, supported by year wise statistics data collected from 28 Family Courts covering the time frame of 2016 to 2022, data collected under the Right to Information Act-2005. The study explores into community-wise divorce trends, examining data on an annual basis. The findings reveal a notable average of 75 divorce petitions filed daily in Kerala, showing a considerable increase in the divorce rate. Furthermore, a careful analysis of divorce statistics unique to each community reveals a steadily rising trend in divorce rates throughout different religious communities. Essentially, the data shows a significant and increasing trend in divorce rates within the state of Kerala. This paper offers valuable insights into the socio-legal dynamics shaping the divorce in the region of Kerala premise.