Nearly 12% of married women in Tamil Nadu are living without their spouses due to widowhood, separation, or divorce, according to the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) data. This figure is significantly higher than the national average of 5.4%.
National Trends
Across India, the proportion of women who are widowed, separated, or divorced has declined slightly from 5.6% in 2023 to 5.4% in the latest survey. The data highlights regional variations in marital stability and women's living arrangements.
State-wise Comparison
Among major states, Tamil Nadu stands out with the highest percentage of women not living with their partners after marriage. Kerala and Karnataka also report above-average figures, though lower than Tamil Nadu. The reasons cited include higher female life expectancy leading to widowhood, as well as increasing divorce rates in urban areas.
The SRS data, collected by the Registrar General of India, provides crucial insights into demographic and social changes. Experts point out that the trend in Tamil Nadu may be linked to higher education levels among women, economic independence, and changing social norms.
While the national average shows a marginal decline, the persistent high rate in Tamil Nadu calls for targeted policy interventions, including social security for widows and legal aid for divorced women.
