A third of marriages in Qatari end in divorce

A third of Qatari marriages is destined to end in divorce, a new report has revealed.

According to Qatar's Planning Council, divorce cases in the middle-eastern state have risen from 376 in 1995 to 581 less than a decade later in 2003. The figures represent 32.76 per cent of the total marriages within the country.

The high divorce rate is likely to cause more of a problem to women, because among other things there is a negative social stigma attached to female divorcees within the country.

"The high divorce rate constitutes a problem for men, women and children. However, women suffer most as a result of economic burdens, child custody and the negative social view towards divorcees," the report said.

Another possible reason for the country's high divorce rate is thought to be the progress women have made in recent years in gaining more rights within Qatari society, giving many the opportunity to survive independently without the need for a husband.

The report also revealed a culture within Qatar of getting married later in life, with Qatari females making up 24 per cent of the singles pool within the 25-39 age bracket, compared to men in the same age group who represent 29 per cent of the male singles.