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A regional analysis of divorce in China since 1980

  • Divorce and Its Consequences
  • Published:
Demography

Abstract

This paper estimates and discusses divorce measures in China and its 30 provinces since 1980. The propensity for divorce in China increased 42% between 1982 and 1990. Substantial increases in divorce were observed in all provinces except Xinjiang and Shanxi. We found a fairly strong regional pattern of divorce in China: Divorce rates were lowest on the east coast and in eastern areas, highest in the northwest and the northeast, and moderate in the middle and southern parts of the country. Descriptive explanations of trends and regional variations are presented.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Demographic Studies, Duke University, 2117 Campus Drive, 27708, Durham, NC

    Zeng Yi

  2. Department of Sociology, Duke University, USA

    Zeng Yi

  3. Institute of Population Research of Peking University, China

    Zeng Yi

  4. Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, USA

    Zeng Yi & Wu Deqing

  5. Institute of Population Research of the Academy of Social Sciences of China, China

    Wu Deqing

Authors
  1. Zeng Yi
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  2. Wu Deqing
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zeng Yi.

Additional information

Suggestions and comments on the early draft provided by the anonymous reviewers, the editors, Wang Deyi, Li Rongshi, Cai Wenmei, Reng Qiang, Ma Rong, M.E. Hughes, Minja Kim Choe, Cai Qian, Gu Danan, Karl Brehmer, Tanya D. Exum-Coston, T. Paul Schultz, and Li Jianxin are highly appreciated.

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Yi, Z., Deqing, W. A regional analysis of divorce in China since 1980. Demography 37, 215–219 (2000). https://doi.org/10.2307/2648123

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