As of today, only two countries in the world still prohibit divorce: the Philippines and Vatican City. In Vatican City, where the Pope governs, divorce is strictly forbidden in line with the city’s religious teachings. This tiny, sovereign city-state covers just 100 acres and has a population of approximately 842 Catholic residents, reinforcing its deeply religious principles.
In the Philippines, where 80% of the population is Roman Catholic and 5% is Muslim, the influence of the Catholic Church remains highly significant. The Catholic Church in the country firmly opposes any legislative initiatives aimed at legalizing divorce, as it continues to adhere to traditional Christian values. Notably, adultery is considered a criminal act in the Philippines, with harsher penalties for women—up to six years in prison—while men face a maximum sentence of four years.
While only two countries completely ban divorce, others have specific laws that govern divorce proceedings.
In Chile, for example, no-fault divorce is not recognized. Divorce is only granted in cases of abuse, abandonment, or infidelity, and the legal process can take between one and three years. Among the Eskimo population, a period of extended separation is mandatory before a couple can officially dissolve their marriage.
In contrast, divorce is legal in Japan but comes with certain gender-based restrictions. For instance, after a divorce, a woman must wait six months before remarrying, while men can remarry immediately. If a woman is pregnant at the time of the divorce, she is required to wait 100 days before the divorce can be finalized.
In Russia, divorce laws primarily deal with financial matters. Upon divorce, only assets acquired during the marriage must be divided between the spouses, while inheritances remain exempt. In Ireland, divorce was legalized relatively recently, in 1994, after a nationwide vote in the predominantly Catholic country.
India, where divorce is legal, has an exceptionally low divorce rate of about 1%. However, the process is not guaranteed, as it is at the discretion of a judge. Meanwhile, Luxembourg, despite being one of the smallest countries in the world, has one of the highest divorce rates, at 87%. In Luxembourg, an individual must be over 21 years old and married for at least two years before being eligible to file for divorce.
These varying laws and cultural attitudes highlight the complex and diverse ways in which nations approach marriage and divorce. Some follow strict religious doctrines, while others offer more lenient or gender-specific rules for ending a marriage.
source:https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-where-divorce-is-illegal
