The impact of the war on the institution of marriage is significant and deepens a number of problems in family relations. Conflict creates stressful conditions that can negatively affect partnerships and the dynamics of family life.
First, wartime is often accompanied by economic difficulties, job losses, and worsening of the financial situation of families. This can lead to the deterioration of material well-being, which raises the issue of stability and comfort in family life.
Secondly, military actions can cause psychological stress and anxiety in spouses. Unforeseen circumstances, threats to life and health, as well as constant anxiety for loved ones can lead to conflicts, aggression and emotional exhaustion in family relationships.
The third aspect is separation from loved ones due to evacuation or moving to a safe place. Separation against the background of uncertainty and fear can create additional burdens on the relationship of spouses.
With the help of various sources of information, AI “FACT” conducted a study on the impact of the military conflict on the institution of marriage in Ukraine. The resulting analytics make it possible to better understand this situation and assess its impact on family relationships.
According to the indicators obtained in the second year of the full-scale war, the number of marriages in Ukraine decreased. During 2023, the number of registered marriages in Ukraine decreased by 17% compared to the corresponding period last year. The number of divorces increased by a third. Most often, marriages break up in Kyiv, and a steady decrease in divorces from year to year is recorded in the Chernivtsi region. During the last half of 2023, 86,028 marriages were registered in Ukraine, which is much less than in the corresponding period of the previous year, when 103,903 new families were registered.
This year, the number of marriage registrations increased in only 2 regions compared to the corresponding period last year: in Kharkiv (+19%) and Sumy (+6%).
But a significant decrease in the number of registrations this year in relation to 2023 is observed in Zaporizhia (-36%), Dnipropetrovsk (which last year was the absolute leader in the number of new families) (-34%), and Ternopil (-32%) regions .
In 2024, the number of marriages again, as before the full-scale invasion, is led by Kyiv — 9,292 marriages were registered in the capital in six months. This is 5% less than the figures of 2022 (9749 and 9757, respectively). Despite a significant reduction in the number of new marriage registrations, Dnipropetrovsk region fell to only second place (8,660). Odesa region rounds out the top three — 6,693 new families.
During the first half of 2024, 10,139 cases of divorce were registered. This is a third (+33%) more than in the corresponding period last year (7,632), but still less than the figures for 2022 — 13,153.
The number of divorces and marriage contracts has increased, but remains lower than before the start of the Great War. Compared to previous years, the number of new families increased in the central regions: Kirovohrad (+28%), Zhytomyr (+23%), Cherkasy (+22%) regions. However, in the west of the country, the number of marriages decreased by an average of 20%: Ternopil (-24%), Zakarpattia (-23%), Lviv (-20%) oblasts.
As you can see, over the past two years, due to the war, the structure of family relations in Ukraine has undergone significant changes. The decrease in the number of marriages against the background of the increase in divorces reflects the general instability of society during the military conflict.
In addition, the distribution of marriage registrations by region also reflects the impact of the war on social and economic conditions. An increase in the registration of marriages in the Kharkiv and Sumy regions may indicate resettlement or a change in the population structure as a result of the conflict.
Negative trends in family relations, in particular the increase in divorce, can be related to the psychological and economic stresses accompanying the war. Many families experience financial difficulties, loss of loved ones or housing problems due to the war. Military actions can change the priorities and values of family life. The need for survival and protection can lead to the loss of the importance of family ties and marriage in general.
Consequently, war has a negative impact on marriage, subjecting marital relations to stress, changes in behavior and lifestyles, leading to an increase in divorce and family breakdown. The situation with family relations in Ukraine requires the attention and support of both social services and state institutions in order to help families in the difficult conditions of war and contribute to the stability of society during this important period.
