Official statistics from 1979 to 2024 reveal that the divorce rate in Iran has risen nearly sixfold in relation to marriages.
While in 1979 only 7 out of every 100 marriages ended in divorce, today the figure has climbed to 41 out of 100—a deeply troubling trend that severely threatens the future of the family institution in Iran.
Social experts argue that this moral collapse is rooted in the ideological rule of political Islam, which, instead of strengthening human values, individual dignity, and social freedoms, is built upon discrimination, control, and coercion. This dynamic has gravely undermined public trust and social capital, leaving families increasingly vulnerable.
One of the clearest manifestations of this crisis is the unprecedented surge in divorce rates. In a society where patriarchal laws and religious pressures dominate family life, marriage becomes a battleground of conflict, violence, and distrust. In such an environment, moral collapse and divorce are two sides of the same coin, both reflecting the repressive and inhumane policies of the Islamic Republic.
Equally significant is the destructive economic crisis in Iran—marked by rampant inflation, the collapse of the national currency, mass unemployment, and widespread poverty—which has a direct link to the rising divorce rate. With more than 80 percent of the population living under the poverty line and millions of families unable to afford basic necessities such as housing, food, and healthcare, psychological stress and family tensions have sharply escalated.
As a result, many marriages are breaking apart under financial strain, with divorce rates climbing particularly among the youth and lower-income groups. This economic bankruptcy is not only eroding the social fabric of the nation but, by tearing families apart, is also placing the future of the next generations in grave jeopardy.
