- Mexico recorded 163,587 divorces in 2023; 67.5% were no-fault.
- The average age at divorce is 40.8 for women and 43.3 for men.
- In more than half of court-ordered divorces (53.6%), there were no minor children.
- Only 37.4% of separated, divorced or widowed people are satisfied with their love life: the group that most needs support.
Signing divorce papers isn’t the end of the story, even if it feels that way at the time. It’s the close of one chapter and the start of another, one you enter with something you didn’t have before: experience.
The data: you’re not alone in this
The ratio of divorces to marriages in Mexico has doubled in just over a decade, from 15.1 per 100 in 2010 to 32.9 in 2022. Today, 67.5% of divorces are no-fault, meaning no reason has to be given, and 31.1% are by mutual consent. And in 53.6% of court-ordered divorces there were no minor children.
In other words: millions of people in Mexico are, just like you, starting over around 40.
The emotional blow is real
People who were once in a relationship and no longer are form the least satisfied group in Mexico when it comes to their love lives, below even those who have never partnered. It’s not weakness: it’s grief. And like all grief, it comes in stages.
The 4 stages of starting over
- Closing. Accepting that it’s over, with its losses and its reliefs. This isn’t the time for dates: it’s the time for support.
- Understanding. What part of what happened was yours? Which patterns did you repeat? No blame, just honesty.
- Rebuilding. Reconnecting with friendships, routines, projects and the version of you that was put on hold.
- Opening up. Meeting people again from a place of clarity, not from the wound.
How do you know you’re ready?
There’s no universal timeline, but there are signs:
- You can talk about your ex without the conversation revolving around them.
- You want to share your life, not fill a void or make someone jealous.
- You’re clear on what you won’t repeat and what you do want to build.
- You feel good on your own; a partner would be a bonus, not a rescue.
Second chances tend to choose better
People who return to love after a long relationship have advantages they didn’t have at 25: they know what they don’t want, they know their patterns, they have a life built and they value peace over drama. The challenge isn’t love; it’s access: your social circles are probably full of couples, and the apps feel like a foreign world.
That’s why so many people at this stage prefer processes with a human filter, where they get to meet someone who’s at the same point in life. To understand the dynamics of each decade, read single at every age.
Frequently asked questions
How many divorces are there in Mexico each year?
Mexico recorded 163,587 divorces in 2023, according to INEGI. 67.5% were no-fault and 31.1% were by mutual consent.
At what age do Mexicans get divorced?
On average, at 40.8 for women and 43.3 for men (INEGI, 2023).
How long should you wait to date after a divorce?
There’s no universal timeline. Signs you’re ready: you can talk about your ex without the conversation revolving around them, you want to share your life rather than fill a void, you’re clear on what you won’t repeat, and you feel good on your own.
How do you meet someone after 40 and a divorce?
Prioritize spaces with a human filter where you’ll meet people at the same stage of life: private communities, intentional events and trips, or matchmaking. Be clear from the start, especially if you have kids.
- INEGI — Divorce Statistics 2023 (release 571/24)
- INEGI — Statistics for February 14 (release 123/24, ENOE 2023, marriage data 2022, ENBIARE 2021)
- INEGI — Statistics for Valentine’s Day / Día del Amor y la Amistad (release 42/25, ENADID 2023, ENBIARE 2021, ENUT 2019)
TovLov TeamPersonalized matchmaking in Mexico. We research and write about relationships using official data.
