Concerns as new figures show one in four marriages in UAE ends in divorce

The National -- One in four marriages in the past decade ended in divorce, according to new figures that sparked worries among members of the Federal National Council.

Nationwide statistics showed 27 per cent of couples split between 2006 and 2016.

The figure was about the same when it came to expats and Emiratis, at 27 per cent for the latter.

The rate of divorce among Emirati men married to expat women was much higher, at 37 per cent, members of the chamber were told on Tuesday.

Members discussed the need to reinforce traditional unions, and Ras Al Khaimah member Naema Al Sharhan said she knew of couples who divorced within a week or month of marriage.