Muslim and non-Muslim divorce trends in Southeast Asia in the 21st century

Abstract

The paper focuses on trends over time in differentials between Southeast Asian Muslims and non-Muslims in the incidence of divorce and various aspects of divorce. There has been a considerable narrowing of differentials in divorce rates, which the paper seeks to document using appropriate measures, as well as to explain. Time trends in divorce rates according to age at marriage are examined, along with intervals between marriage and divorce, and in the partner initiating the divorce. The similar social and labor market forces affecting both Muslims and non-Muslims in these increasingly urbanized societies are seen to be largely responsible for both the narrowing of differentials in divorce and the general upward trend in divorce rates in the first 2 decades of the 21st century.