The Best and Worst Places to Live in Britain as a Married Couple
This post was last updated on February 19th, 2024
Data received by the UK’s divorce rates have indicated that we have the highest divorce rates compared other countries in the EU (2.8 divorces for every 1,000 marriages in 2008). Divorces are usually the case for couples struggling to work, may that be because of infidelity, intrusive in-laws, differences in communications, conflict and financial strain.
It may seem like there are a lot couples divorcing in the UK, but actually research has found that that 87% of couples stated they were in happy relationships and barely argued. With that In mind, what is it that contributes to a happy marriage? Location, location, location. Census data across the country can provide interesting insight into the differences between people living in different regions across the country. In this article, we explore the areas throughout the UK with the largest number of divorces, analyzing the reasons why marriages have succeeded and failed.
Worst place to live in Britain: Blackpool
Do you love the seaside? You’ll be surprised to know that coastal towns have the highest rates of divorce in comparison to inland towns. Blackpool has been named as the divorce capital of the country, with divorce rates at 13.1%. Although there’s no official explanation for why these rates are so much higher than the rest of the country, there are stress-inducing situations that can be linked to the cause and effect of divorce, resulting in partners introducing family solicitors.
Blackpool for ranked back in 2019, as the most deprived area in England. BBC questioned residents in Blackpool, with many blaming high divorce rates on difficult economic conditions placing immense pressure on families who are struggling to meet living costs.
Do coastal towns thrive in the summer and become deathly boring in the winter? This region has also been met with some of the highest rates of long-term illness and poor physical and mental health, with anxiety and depression levels exceeding the national average by almost double.
Second worst place to live in Britain: Hastings
Having received a divorce rate of 12.8%, Hastings has the second highest divorce rates in the UK. Hastings is a popular coastal town with pretty pastel coloured Victorian-style houses by the sea — so why are couples getting divorced at high rates in a quaint, scenic town?
What’s a coincidence, is that Hasting’s ranks 13ths for the most deprived areas in Britain. This reiterates the possibility that financial strain is a leading factor in why couples get divorced. Salaries in Hastings are 24% less than the South West average, with 26% living in poverty. NHS statistics have also reported that 30% of locals reported feeling lonely in this area, suggesting that boredom and lack of social activities in coastal towns can have dramatic impacts on marital happiness.
Best place to live in Britain: Harrow
Harrow had received the lowest rate of divorces with 5.4 and is arguable one of the based placed for married couples to live in. Of course, people still stay together in unhappy marriages for a variety of reasons, but low divorce rates suggest an environment that is less likely to put strain on a marriage.
The average earnings of those living in Hastings, met Britain’s average of £37,000 last year. Harrow is ranked the lowest region in the UK for depression and anxiety prevalence at 9%. Although money isn’t a measure of mental health, it can contribute to marriage failure as noted previously.
Second best place to live in Britain: Tower Hamlets
Tower Hamlets is situated in the centre of London and received the second lowest rates of divorces at 5.6% with people seeking Divorce law in London, following closely behind Harrow. Like Harrow, the average salary met the UK average, allowing households to keep up with living costs. Are
Though there are many factors that cause divorces, it seems there could be a correlation with economic environment and the success rates of marriages.
Sources
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-52829/Britain-highest-divorce-rate-EU.html
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3201497/Wish-weren-t-ten-divorce-hot-spots-Britain-sea-Blackpool-worst-place-live-want-happy-marriage.html
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2758119.stm
- https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/lancashire-insight/area-profiles/local-authority-profiles/blackpool-unitary/
- http://www.blackpooljsna.org.uk/Living-and-Working-Well/Health-Conditions/Mental-Health.aspx
- https://www.plumplot.co.uk/Harrow-salary-and-unemployment.html
- https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/may/06/most-depressed-english-communities-in-north-and-midlands
- https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/Documents/Borough_statistics/Income_poverty_and_welfare/Household_Income_2018_Factsheet.pdf
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