Why does “unreasonable behaviour” dominate civil divorce filings in Singapore?

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"Unreasonable Behaviour" is the Most Common Ground for Civil Divorce in Singapore Due to Legal Framework and Evidentiary Ease

In Singapore, "unreasonable behaviour" has become the predominant legal ground cited in civil divorce filings, with 48.7 per cent of non-Muslim couples using it in 2025. This contrasts sharply with adultery, which accounted for only 0.9 per cent of such cases, making it the least cited reason. Lawyers explain that this disparity primarily stems from the differing legal requirements and the ease of proving "unreasonable behaviour" compared to adultery, rather than indicating a lower prevalence of infidelity among civil couples.
Legal Framework Necessitates Proving Irretrievable Breakdown

Under Singapore's Women's Charter, civil divorce proceedings require parties to demonstrate that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. To establish this, one of six recognised legal facts must be presented, which include adultery, desertion, unreasonable behaviour, separation, or divorce by mutual agreement. The necessity of fitting a marital breakdown into one of these specific legal categories shapes the statistics, with some grounds being more practical to plead than others.
"Unreasonable Behaviour" Offers Broader Scope and Easier Proof

The preference for citing "unreasonable behaviour" is largely attributed to its extensive coverage. This ground encompasses a wide array of conduct, such as abuse, controlling actions, addiction, gambling, financial neglect, and even extramarital affairs. According to Lim Chong Boon, managing director of family law and dispute resolution at PKWA Law Practice, parties often opt for this broader category even when infidelity is the cause, as it is generally simpler to substantiate than proving adultery directly.
Adultery Carries a Higher Evidentiary Burden

Proving adultery as a legal fact for divorce in Singapore typically demands rigorous evidence, often requiring substantial circumstantial proof like reports from private investigators or photographic evidence to confirm a sexual relationship. This higher threshold for evidence makes it a less frequently chosen ground compared to "unreasonable behaviour," which can often be supported by less direct or extensive proof.
Alternative Grounds Like Separation Are Less Practical

Other potential grounds for divorce, such as separation, are also less practical for many couples. A.W. Law managing partner Abdul Wahab notes that relying on separation requires couples to have lived apart for at least three years with mutual consent, or four years without it, before a divorce can be filed. This extended period makes it a less immediate or accessible option for dissolving a marriage compared to the more adaptable "unreasonable behaviour" ground. The introduction of "divorce by mutual agreement" in July 2024 has provided a less confrontational alternative, becoming the third most cited reason by 2025, allowing couples to jointly acknowledge marital breakdown without assigning blame.

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Why does “unreasonable behaviour” dominate civil divorce filings in Singapore?

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