Divorces hit record high in Brazil

Brazil's divorce rate hit a record high in 2010.

The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics says 243,224 divorces were recorded last year in the nation with the highest number of Catholics. That comes out to 1.8 divorces per 1,000 residents. The rate was 1.2 divorces per 1,000 residents 10 years ago.

The numbers released Monday also mark a significant jump over last year, when 1.4 divorces per 1,000 residents were recorded.

Experts say the growing rate is due in part to a simplification of the requirements for granting a divorce.

Since July 2010, couples no longer face a legally imposed waiting period. They can also formalize a consensual divorce at a notary public without going to court.

(Published by Taiwan News - December 1, 2011)