Cost-of-living puts stress on marriages, Census data suggests

Some of the state’s most disadvantaged areas are feeling the relationship stress of cost of living pressures.

Disadvantaged suburbs and towns are home to the most separated and divorced people in South Australia, 2021 Census statistics show.

Experts say cost of living pressures are to blame for poorer areas being more affected by relationship breakdowns in the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.

The statistics show Morphett Vale has the highest number of residents who are separated, with 832. It is followed by Mount Gambier with 830 and Murray Bridge 595.

Two of these areas also have the most divorced people, with Morphett Vale home to 2529, and Mount Gambier 2245. They also recorded income levels below the South Australian average.

Median household income in SA is $1889 weekly for families. In Morphett Vale, median household income is $1163, in Mount Gambier it’s $1317, and in Murray Bridge $1077.

The Census recorded a snapshot of households on the night of August 10, 2021.

In 2021, 9.5 per cent of SA adults were divorced, up slightly from 9.2 per cent in 2016.

Poorer areas are by far the most affected – and the South Australian Council of Social Service says cost-of-living pressures are to blame.

“We don’t know whether that is an outcome of divorce, it could be people move to places which may be cheaper to rent because finances are being divided,’’ SACOSS chief executive Ross Womersley said.

“Or finances could be divided because people are living in financially challenging circumstances.”

Relationships Australia chief executive Claire Ralfs confirmed cost-of-living pressures were affecting separation and divorce, as well as Covid-19 stress.

“Stresses, including especially economic pressures, affect relationships,’’ she said.

“So mortgage stress for instance will amplify the pressures. Covid-19 is also a big part of a 25 per cent increase in demand for our (counselling) services. This is also a national problem, not just SA.”

South Australians are becoming less committed to religious beliefs, which may affect divorce rates. On Census night last year, 806,165 South Australians answered “no religion” – a 36 per cent increase from 594,311 in 2016.

But couples in some regional areas stick together better. Victor Harbor placed 40th, Encounter Bay 44th, and Whyalla Norrie 52nd in the divorced or separated stakes.

The CBD has the highest number of singles who have “never married” at 11,046.

The number of same-sex relationships jumped 76 per cent to 4616 from 2613 in 2016.

There were 479,770 families of all types, making up 68 per cent of households, while 28.6 per cent were singles and 3.4 per cent lived in groups.