Divorce becoming new social reality?

The recent announcement by renowned physician couple Dr Syedul Ashraf Kushal and Dr Sushma Reza that they are ending their nearly two-decade-long marriage through mutual consent has sparked widespread discussion across Bangladesh.

Their joint statement, marked by mutual respect and gratitude rather than conflict, drew thousands of reactions on social media and reignited a broader debate over marriage, relationships and divorce in contemporary Bangladeshi society.

Although every divorce has its own circumstances, the public response to the couple’s separation has brought renewed attention to a larger question: Is divorce becoming more common in Bangladesh?

Official statistics suggest the answer is more nuanced than many assume. Bangladesh has witnessed a significant rise in divorce in recent years, although the trend has not been one of uninterrupted growth.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, the country’s crude divorce rate stood at 0.7 per 1,000 population in 2021. It doubled to 1.4 per 1,000 in 2022, marking one of the sharpest year-on-year increases in recent history. However, the latest available BBS data show that the
rate eased to around 1.1 per 1,000 population in 2023.

While the decline suggests the surge has moderated, divorce remains considerably more common than it was only a few years ago.

Experts say the figures should not be interpreted simply as evidence that marriages are becoming weaker. Rather, they reflect broader social, economic and cultural changes taking place across the country.

Family experts say the reasons behind divorce have changed significantly over the past three decades.

Speaking to The New Nation, Tahminur Rahman Sajib, an advocate at Dhaka Judge Court, said marital breakdowns in Bangladesh during the 1990s were more commonly linked to poverty, domestic violence, family interference, dowry-related disputes and lack of compatibility.

Social stigma and financial dependence, particularly among women, also meant that many unhappy couples remained together despite serious marital problems, he said.

“Today, however, modern lifestyle changes are playing a much greater role in marital conflict. Drug addiction has emerged as one of the leading causes of divorce, often resulting in financial hardship, abusive behaviour and breakdown of trust within families,” Sajib said.

He said extra-marital affairs have also become increasingly common, in some cases fuelled by greater social interaction and online communication.

Excessive use of smartphones and social media is also affecting family relationships, he added.

Constant mobile phone use, online friendships and digital distractions often reduce meaningful communication between spouses, leading to misunderstanding, suspicion and conflict.

Career pressure is another growing concern. Long working hours, overseas employment, demanding professional commitments and limited family time can create emotional distance between couples, experts say.

Dipti Shikder, advocate and legal director of Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, told The New Nation that many women continue to face physical and mental domination within marriage.

“In many cases, husbands tend to dominate wives physically and mentally. Such behaviour often damages the marital relationship and pushes couples towards separation,” she said.

Despite the increase, Bangladesh’s divorce rate remains relatively low compared with many developed countries. Nevertheless, specialists believe the upward shift deserves careful attention because of its broader implications for children, family structures and social wellbeing.

Child psychologists say the impact of divorce on children depends largely on how parents manage the separation. In high-conflict households, an amicable divorce may provide a healthier environment than continued exposure to violence or constant disputes.

They argue that the focus should remain on ensuring children’s emotional wellbeing rather than preserving marriages at any cost.

The separation of Dr Kushal and Dr Reza has attracted national attention because they are well-known public figures. However, relationship experts stress that their decision should not be viewed as representative of all marriages or all divorces.

Every relationship has its own circumstances, and public speculation often overlooks the deeply personal nature of such decisions, they say.

The latest statistics suggest Bangladesh is experiencing a gradual transformation in family life rather than a collapse of the institution of marriage.

The sharp rise in divorce recorded in 2022 has moderated, but the overall rate remains higher than in previous years. At the same time, changing gender roles, greater legal awareness, financial independence and evolving expectations of marriage continue to reshape how couples approach lifelong relationships.

As public discussion continues following the separation of one of the country’s most recognised professional couples, experts say the conversation should move beyond curiosity about individual cases.

Instead, they argue, greater attention should be paid to strengthening family counselling services, promoting healthy communication, addressing domestic violence and supporting couples before conflicts become irreversible.

Ultimately, experts say, the quality of marriages – not merely the number of divorces – may be the more meaningful measure of the health of Bangladeshi society.