Medical Profession Data
Doctor Divorce Rates
Contrary to popular belief, physicians have a divorce rate (24.3%) below the national average. However, rates vary significantly by specialty, gender, and when the marriage occurred relative to medical training.
Marriages formed after completing residency have the lowest divorce rates (19.2%). The highest-risk period is during residency training (35.8% divorce rate).
Overall Physician Rate
24.3%divorce rate
Below national average
Psychiatrists
33.0%highest specialty
Emotional labor factor
Surgeons
28.2%divorce rate
Long hours impact
Female Physicians
37.9%vs 22.3% male
Gender disparity
Divorce Rates by Medical Specialty
Specialty choice significantly affects divorce rates. High-stress specialties with demanding on-call schedules have higher rates, while lifestyle specialties like dermatology and ophthalmology have the lowest.
| Specialty | Divorce Rate | Avg Hours/Week | On-Call Burden | Avg Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatry | 33% | 48 | Medium | $275,000 |
| Surgery (General) | 28.2% | 58 | Heavy | $410,000 |
| Emergency Medicine | 27.5% | 42 | Heavy | $350,000 |
| Orthopedic Surgery | 26.8% | 55 | Heavy | $550,000 |
| OB/GYN | 26.4% | 52 | Heavy | $310,000 |
| Cardiology | 25.5% | 56 | Heavy | $430,000 |
| Internal Medicine | 24.1% | 50 | Medium | $265,000 |
| Anesthesiology | 23.8% | 48 | Medium | $390,000 |
| Radiology | 22.5% | 45 | Light | $420,000 |
| Pediatrics | 22.1% | 46 | Medium | $235,000 |
| Family Medicine | 21.5% | 45 | Light | $235,000 |
| Dermatology | 18.2% | 40 | Minimal | $440,000 |
| Ophthalmology | 17.8% | 42 | Minimal | $380,000 |
Physician Divorce Rates by Gender
Female physicians have significantly higher divorce rates (37.9%) compared to male physicians (22.3%). This disparity is attributed to traditional gender expectations, career timing conflicts, and partner income dynamics.
| Group | Divorce Rate | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Female Physicians | 37.9% | 1.5x higher than male physicians |
| Male Physicians | 22.3% | Below national average |
| Female Non-Physician | 36.8% | Similar to female physicians |
| Male Non-Physician | 34.2% | Higher than male physicians |
Why the Gender Gap?
Female Physician Challenges
- Often out-earn spouses, creating power dynamics
- Societal expectations for childcare/housework
- Career interruptions for childbearing
- Less likely to have supportive stay-at-home partner
Male Physician Advantages
- More likely to have spouse manage household
- Traditional gender role alignment
- Partner career often flexible around their schedule
- Higher income seen as provider role fulfillment
Divorce Risk by Marriage Timing
When a physician marries relative to their training significantly impacts divorce risk. Marriages formed during residency have the highest divorce rates.
Before Medical School
31.2%
During Medical School
28.5%
During Residency
35.8%
After Training Complete
19.2%
Risk Factors in Physician Marriages
Several unique factors contribute to divorce risk in physician marriages. Understanding these can help medical couples proactively protect their relationships.
| Risk Factor | Impact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Residency Training | +45% | 80+ hour weeks during formative marriage years |
| On-Call Requirements | +35% | Unpredictable schedules disrupt family life |
| Emotional Exhaustion | +30% | Compassion fatigue affects relationships |
| Medical School Debt | +20% | $200K+ debt creates financial stress early |
| Power Dynamics | +25% | Status differences with non-physician spouses |
| Delayed Childbearing | +15% | Career timing affects family planning |
Physician-Specific Divorce Support
Splitifi understands the unique complexities of physician divorces: deferred compensation, practice valuations, medical school debt allocation, and complex retirement accounts. Our AI is trained on healthcare professional cases.
- Medical practice valuation guidance
- Complex compensation structure analysis
- Student loan allocation strategies
- Malpractice insurance considerations
Frequently Asked Questions
Do doctors have a high divorce rate?
No, doctors actually have a below-average divorce rate of 24.3%, compared to the national average of approximately 35%. However, rates vary significantly by specialty, with psychiatrists at 33% and dermatologists at only 18.2%.
Which medical specialty has the highest divorce rate?
Psychiatry has the highest divorce rate among medical specialties at 33.0%, followed by general surgery (28.2%) and emergency medicine (27.5%). These specialties combine high emotional demands with irregular schedules.
Why do female doctors have higher divorce rates?
Female physicians (37.9%) have nearly 70% higher divorce rates than male physicians (22.3%). Research suggests this is due to traditional gender expectations, income disparities with partners, career-family conflicts, and having partners less willing to take on domestic responsibilities.
When is the riskiest time to marry as a doctor?
Marriages formed during residency have the highest divorce rate at 35.8%. The safest time to marry is after completing training (19.2% divorce rate), when income is stable and work hours are more predictable.
Cite This Page
Splitifi. "Doctor Divorce Rates: Physician Divorce Statistics by Specialty." Splitifi.com, February 2026, https://www.mysplitifi.com/statistics/doctor-divorce-ratesData sources: BMJ Open, Journal of the American Medical Association, American Medical Association Physician Survey, U.S. Census Bureau. Updated annually.
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