![Saudi Arabia divorce rate ranks second highest among GCC countries [muslimvillage.com]](/sites/default/files/styles/d08_standard/public/im/Egypt/divorce.jpg?itok=Resz1Yov "Saudi Arabia divorce rate ranks second highest among GCC countries [muslimvillage.com]")
Divorce seems to be picking up steam in the Kingdom, ranking second among GCC countries, following Bahrain.
A study carried out by the economic research unit at Al Eqtisadiah newspaper found that in 2012 there were more than 30,000 divorce cases, an average of 82 a day and 3.4 an hour.
The same study revealed that the figure is higher than in 2010 when divorce cases amounted to 75 a day.
The report also found that 90% of divorces occurred between couples of Saudi origin.
Conceiving this phenomenon as a threat to the social status quo of the Kingdom and stressing the sanctity of the institution of marriage, the Ministries of Justice and Social Affairs has proposed earlier this year mandatory marriage counseling for young couples before their marriage. As such, marriage will not be approved unless a course certificate is presented.
