Divorces in Singapore

Mrs Lina Chiam asked the Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports what is the number of divorces from 2008 to 2011 and what are the reasons for most of these divorces.

The Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports (Mdm Halimah Yacob) (for the Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports): Sir, in 2008, there were 6,800 divorces and about 7,000 in the subsequent two years. The data for 2011 is not available yet. The main reasons cited by couples in their divorce applications include unreasonable behaviour, having lived apart for three years or more, domestic violence, and financial problems.

Mrs Lina Chiam: Sir, I thank the Minister of State. I have one supplementary question. What is the average life span of the marriages that end up in divorce?

Mdm Halimah Yacob: Sir, I do not have the information with me right now as this was not requested in the Parliamentary Question (PQ). I could provide the answer to the hon Member, or she could subsequently file a PQ. Marriages are of varying lengths, although we do detect that when marriages include young couples of the age of 20 or below, these marriages tend to be a lot riskier. Chances of the marriages failing are much higher compared to more matured couples who marry.

The larger issue is, of course, how we help marriages to continue to be sustainable and to remain strong. We have many programmes where we work together with partners like VWOs and the National Family Council, in order to help families to remain intact and marriages to remain strong. Various measures are in place. We also have the interests of the children at heart. In the event that there are children below the age of eight involved, there is a provision under the law that makes it mandatory for the divorcing couple to go for counselling and mediation. At the heart of it all is our intention to ensure that the welfare of the children when a couple divorces is taken care of.

11.13 am

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question Time.

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