UAE: Nearly 30% divorces happen within first year of marriage; experts stress need for intervention

New data has revealed that nearly 30 per cent of marriages that end in the UAE do so within the first year, sparking urgent discussions among social experts and lawyers about the underlying causes and potential solutions to this growing challenge .

The Ministry of Justice’s latest statistical report has documented 2,857 divorce cases registered across federal courts in Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain over a five-year period from 2020 to 2024. 

Of these, 851 divorces — approximately 30 per cent — occurred within the first year of marriage, underscoring a troubling pattern of early marital breakdown.

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The data reveals that early divorces transcend demographic boundaries, affecting diverse family structures. Of the 851 cases, 396 involved Emirati couples, 627 cases had Emirati husbands, and 17 cases involved Emirati wives married to non-Emirati husbands.

The 2024 divorce statistics also reveal variation across the four emirates. Sharjah recorded the highest number of divorces with 217 cases, followed by Ajman with 167 cases. 

Fujairah reported 67 divorces, while Umm Al Quwain documented 22 cases. Collectively, the four emirates registered 473 divorces in 2024 alone.

These figures underscore the pressing need for targeted interventions and support systems to help couples navigate the challenges of married life and strengthen the institution of marriage across the UAE.

Psychologists and family counsellors said to Khaleej Times that the issue is likely a lack of compatibility, not a lack of love.

Psychology behind it

The first year is the most critical test of a marital relationship, experts have said, adding that most factors that make or break a relationship often come to light then.

Hiba Salem, a Psychologist and Adult & Families Specialist at Sage Clinics, says that many couples romanticise marriage when entering it, their thought processes being "heavily influenced by curated social media narratives and cultural pressures.”

“The surge in early divorces is a complex phenomenon, and from a psychological standpoint, it often boils down to a profound discrepancy between expectation and reality,” she explains. “Couples frequently fail to grasp the true emotional and logistical labour required for a successful partnership.”

Dr Amal Salem Basohaib, an internationally certified coach in family and social relations, echoes this sentiment. “Many couples enter married life with idealistic expectations that have no connection to reality, often built on media portrayals or unconscious comparisons,” she says. A common phrase she hears in counseling sessions is, “I didn’t expect marriage to be like this.”

This gap between imagination and reality is compounded by a lack of effective communication skills. “The absence of healthy communication skills is one of the most prominent causes of early divorce,” Dr. Amal states, noting that conflicts over housing, finances, and roles often escalate due to an inability to engage in calm, constructive dialogue.

First year of adjustment

The initial year of marriage is a period of intense psychological adjustment. According to Hiba Salem, challenges stem from the struggle to integrate different routines, financial philosophies, and core values. “Many couples are surprised by the intensity of this adjustment stress, often misinterpreting this normal developmental crisis as a sign that the marriage is fundamentally flawed,” she says.

In the high-pressure environment of the UAE, factors like expatriate stress and the absence of traditional support networks can act as powerful stressors that diminish emotional reserves, making it harder for couples to navigate this critical phase.

Premarital support

Both experts emphasise the critical need for better preparation before marriage. “Premarital counselling is a highly effective preventative intervention,” says Hiba Salem. She explains that it serves as a diagnostic and educational tool, helping couples map out communication styles, identify potential conflict patterns, and establish clear boundaries with extended families.

Dr Basohaib agrees, highlighting that many couples begin their life together without sufficient knowledge of conflict management, the psychological differences between men and women, or how to handle daily pressures.

Family interference is another recurring factor, and she stresses that “balancing respect for one’s parents with the independence of the new family is a necessity, not a choice.”

Impact of social media

Dr Basohaib points to the profound and often underestimated impact of social media on new marriages. It contributes to the problem by:

• Creating unrealistic comparisons with relationships that appear perfect online.

• Raising emotional and material expectations.

• Amplifying minor disagreements through unsolicited advice.

• Violating the privacy of the relationship.

“Marriage is transformed from a relationship built on patience and gradual growth into one measured by posts, stories, and an ideal image, which increases feelings of dissatisfaction and tension,” she warns. To counter this, experts call for a cultural shift in how marriage is viewed not as an effortless destination, but as a dynamic process requiring continuous care.

“We must work to de-stigmatise couples therapy, normalising it as a proactive tool for maintenance, not just a last resort for crisis management,” urges Hiba Salem. She advocates for expanding psychoeducational programs focused on emotional intelligence and conflict resolution.

Dr Amal also noted that early divorce is often a reflection of poor preparation. “Building a stable family is not based on love alone, but on awareness, maturity, skill, and the right support.”