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Figures released by the Office of National Statistics have revealed that 117,558 couples divorced in England and Wales in 2011 compared to 132,338 in 2010; a fall of 1.7 per cent. Following an unanticipated rise in 2010, many commentators, including solicitors and sociologists, had claimed that the divorce rate would continue to grow the following year – with the rate having increased by 4.9 per cent from 2009 to 2010 – though recent findings have led many to conclude that this rise was little more than a blip. The figures recorded in 2010 represent the only occasion on which the divorce rate has increased within the past eight years. These findings may suggest that any link between recession and rising divorce rates are inaccurate, though several legal professionals have argued that the effects of the recession are merely delayed. A similar occurrence took place following a recession in the early nineties when, following the UK having been in recession between 1990 and 1992, the divorce rate increased substantially in 1993. Other theorists have suggested that the difficulties that have been brought about by the recession have resulted in unhappy couples postponing their divorces until the economy and value of property improves.  Alternatively, it has also been suggested that falling marriage rates, following having been revealed earlier this year that married individuals are now in a minority, are behind the trend. Harry Benson, of The Marriage Foundation, has disputed such claims, however, having informed the Express: "The longer term trend in divorce rates remains downwards. After peaking in the 1990s, divorce rates are very definitely back at 1970s levels. This has nothing to do with fewer people getting married and everything to do with the way couples who do get married are taking it increasingly seriously." The survey also revealed that the divorce rate amongst the over 60’s is increasing with 8 per cent of men and 5 per cent of women who became divorced last year falling into this age bracket. 49 per cent of couples that divorce last year had at least one child under the age of 16 and 100,760 children were affected by divorce in 2011. Click here for advice on how to obtain a low-cost uncontested divorce.