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Türkiye’de Gri Boşanma Olgusunun Demografik Görünümleri

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 95 - 110

Şükrü Türköz

https://doi.org/10.33709/ictimaiyat.1750237

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the gray divorce phenomenon, which has increased in Türkiye in recent years, through the lens of demographic indicators. Gray divorce refers to the dissolution of marriages among individuals aged 50 and over, and it shows an increasing trend in both European countries and Türkiye. The research draws from the Turkish Statistical Institute’s (TÜİK) divorce data for the period 2001-2024, providing indicators at the age, gender, and regional levels. Findings indicate that gray divorces in Türkiye have increased significantly in both number and proportion during this period. As of 2024, approximately one-fifth of divorces in Türkiye are individuals aged 50 and older, with the highest proportion of gray divorces belonging to the 50-54 age group. Among gray divorces, the number of men on a gender basis is significantly higher than women. In addition, there are remarkable differences between geographical regions. Gray divorce rates are generally low in the provinces of the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Regions, while they are comparatively higher in certain provinces within the Eastern Black Sea, Western Anatolia, Aegean, and Marmara Regions. Data show that the phenomenon of gray divorce in Türkiye is a part of social transformation.

Keywords

Boşanma Gri Boşanma İleri Yaşta Boşanmalar Demografik Göstergeler Türkiye

Ethical Statement

Yazar(lar), çalışmanın hazırlanma sürecinde etik ilkelere uyduklarını beyan etmiştir.

References

  • Amato, P. R. & Previti, D. (2003). People’s reasons for divorcing: Gender, social class, the life course, and adjustment. Journal of Family Issues, 24(5), 602-626.
  • Berardo, D. H. (1982). Divorce and remarriage at middle age and beyond. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 464(1), 132-139.
  • Bildtgård, T. (2022). Gray divorce: An increasingly common path to uncoupling in later life. Innovation in Aging, 6(Suppl 1), 40.
  • Bildtgård, T. & Öberg, P. (2022). The existential context of gray divorce. Innovation in Aging, 6(Supplement_1), 40-41.
  • Benson, J., Olivia, L., Donehower, A. & Sanner, C. (2022). Relief, regrets, and reinvention: life after gray divorce. Innovation in Aging, 6(Suppl 1), 41.
  • Brown, S. L. & Lin, I. F. (2012). The gray divorce revolution: Rising divorce among middle-aged and older adults, 1990-2010. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 67(6), 731-741.
  • Brown, S. L. & Lin, I. F. (2022). The graying of divorce: A half century of change. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 77(9), 1710-1720.
  • Brown, S. L., Lin, I. F., Hammersmith, A. M. & Wright, M. R. (2018). Later life marital dissolution and repartnership status: A national portrait. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 73(6), 1032-1042.
  • Brown, S. L., Lin, I. F. & Mellencamp, PhD, K. A. (2023). A brief report on living arrangements following gray divorce. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 78(8), 1396-1401.
  • Buyukkececi, Z. & Leopold, T. (2024). Parent‒child relationships following gray divorce: Stronger ties with mothers, weaker ties with fathers. The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 79(5), gbae004.
  • Caarls, K., & De Valk, H. A. (2018). Regional diffusion of divorce in Türkiye. European Journal of Population, 34(4), 609-636.
  • Canham, S. L., Mahmood, A., Stott, S., Sixsmith, J. & O’Rourke, N. (2014). ‘Til divorce do us part: Marriage dissolution in later life. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 55(8), 591-612.
  • Crowley, J. E. (2019a). Gray divorce: Explaining midlife marital splits. Journal of Women & Aging, 31(1), 49-72.
  • Crowley, J. E. (2019b). Does everything fall apart? Life assessments following a gray divorce. Journal of Family Issues, 40(11), 1438-1461.
  • Elmas, Ç. & Adak, N. (2023). Türkiye’de Boşanma Nedenlerinin Toplumsal Kökenleri ve Boşanma Sonrası Deneyimler. İstanbul University Journal of Sociology, 43(1), 84-97.
  • Erkan, E. & Yamak, R. (2017). Türkiye’de boşanma olgusunun belirleyicileri: Panel veri analizi. Eurasian Business & Economics Journal, 75-94.
  • Ersöz, A. (2011). Türkiye’de boşanma olgusu ve kadına yönelik aile içi şiddet ilişkisi üzerine bir değerlendirme. Istanbul Journal of Sociological Studies, (43), 249-264.
  • Gigy, L. & Kelly, J. B. (1993). Reasons for divorce: Perspectives of divorcing men and women. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 18(1-2), 169-188.
  • Hawkins, A. J., Willoughby, B. J., & Doherty, W. J. (2012). Reasons for divorce and openness to marital reconciliation. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 53(6), 453-463.
  • Hammond, R. J. & Muller, G. O. (1992). The late-life divorced: Another look. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 17(3-4), 135-150.
  • Högnäs, R. S. (2020). Gray divorce and social and emotional loneliness. In Divorce in Europe: New insights in trends, causes and consequences of relation break-ups (pp. 147-165).
  • Kalkandeler Özdin, N. (2024). Aile Yaşam Döngüsünde Boş Yuva Sendromu. Aile ve Yalnızlık IV. Uluslararası Yalnızlık Sempozyumu Kitabı, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Yayınları, (83), 126-137.
  • Koç, T. (2019). Türkiye’de boşanma oranlarını etkileyen faktörlerin beta regresyon modeli ile belirlenmesi. Avrasya Uluslararası Araştırmalar Dergisi, 7(16), 1111-1117.
  • Kutlar, A., Torun, P., & Işık, T. T. (2016). Türkiye’de Bölgesel Boşanma Farklıkları: 2004-2013 Dönemi. In International Congress of Management Economy and Policy, November (pp. 2985-2992).
  • Lin, I. F., Brown, S. L., Wright, M. R. & Hammersmith, A. M. (2016). Antecedents of gray divorce: A life course perspective. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 73(6), 1022-1031.
  • Lin, I. F. & Brown, S. L. (2020). The economic consequences of gray divorce for women and men. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 76(10), 2073-2085.
  • Lin, I. F., Brown, S. L., & Mellencamp, K. A. (2023). Gray divorce and parent‒child disconnectedness: Implications for depressive symptoms. Journal of Marriage and Family, 86(1), 95-110.
  • McKinley, I. (2023). Understanding the Gray Divorce Phenomenon. Retrieved June 29, 2025, from https://www.mckinleyirvin.com/family-law-blog/2023/September/understanding-the-gray-divorcephenomenon/#:~:text=Put%20simply%2C%20the%20term%20%E2%80%9Cgray, individuals%2050%20years%20or%20older.
  • Milliyet, (2025). Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://www.milliyet.com.tr/gundem/turkiyede-gri-bosanma-5-yilda-yuzde-44-53-artti-7338541.
  • Montenegro, X. P. (2004). A study of divorce at midlife and beyond. Washington, DC: American Association for Retired Persons. Retrieved July 8, 2025 from http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/general/divorce_1.pdf.
  • NTV News. (2025). Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/gri-bosanma-artiyor-gecen-yil-55-bin-cift-evliligini-sonlandirdi, rqQiGn11Rk26YtaWjiJU4g.
  • O’Mara. (2025). The O’Mara Law Group Explains: What Is Gray Divorce? Retrieved June 29, 2025, from https://www.omaralawgroup.com/blog/what-is-gray-divorce/.
  • Sayer, L. C. & Bianchi, S. M. (2000). Women’s economic independence and the probability of divorce: A review and reexamination. Journal of Family Issues, 21(7), 906-943. https://doi.org/10.1177/019251300021007005
  • Şahbaz, H. (2022). Coğrafi bir bakış açısıyla 2001-2020 döneminde Türkiye’deki boşanmalar. Erzurum Teknik Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, (14), 21-58.
  • Şahinalp, M. S. (2024). Covid-19 pandemisi döneminde Türkiye’de yaşanan boşanmalar üzerine bir değerlendirme. Fırat University Journal of Social Sciences, 34(3), 1115-1130.
  • Slavov, S. N. & Wei, C. (2021). Gray divorce and labor supply. Applied Economics Letters, 30(1), 66-79.
  • Tosi, M. & van den Broek, T. (2020). Gray divorce and mental health in the United Kingdom. Social Science & Medicine, 256, 113030.
  • TÜİK. (2025a). Turkish Statistical Institute, Marriage and divorce statistics 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2025, from https://data.TÜİK.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Evlenme-ve-Bosanma-Istatistikleri-2024-54194.
  • TÜİK. (2025b). Turkish Statistical Institute, Women in Statistics, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2025, from https://data.TÜİK.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Istatistiklerle-Kadin-2024-54076
  • Uhlenberg, P. & Myers, M. A. P. (1981). Divorce and elderly individuals. The Gerontologist, 21(3), 276-282.
  • Üçler, G., & Kızılkaya, O. (2014). Kadın istihdamının boşanma ve doğurganlık üzerine etkileri: Türkiye üzerine bölgesel panel veri analizi. Akademik Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 2(2), 28-43.
  • Yıldırım, N. (2004). Türkiye’de boşanma ve sebepleri. Bilig (Türk Dünyası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi), 28, 59-81.
  • Zhao, H., Andreyeva, T., & Sun, X. (2024). Food Security and Health Outcomes following Gray Divorce. Nutrients, 16(5), 633.

The Demographic Aspects of the Gray Divorce Phenomenon in Türkiye

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 95 - 110

Şükrü Türköz

https://doi.org/10.33709/ictimaiyat.1750237

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the gray divorce phenomenon, which has increased in Türkiye in recent years, through the lens of demographic indicators. Gray divorce refers to the dissolution of marriages among individuals aged 50 and over, and it shows an increasing trend in both European countries and Türkiye. The research draws from the Turkish Statistical Institute’s (TÜİK) divorce data for the period 2001-2024, providing indicators at the age, gender, and regional levels. Findings indicate that gray divorces in Türkiye have increased significantly in both number and proportion during this period. As of 2024, approximately one-fifth of divorces in Türkiye are individuals aged 50 and older, with the highest proportion of gray divorces belonging to the 50-54 age group. Among gray divorces, the number of men on a gender basis is significantly higher than women. In addition, there are remarkable differences between geographical regions. Gray divorce rates are generally low in the provinces of the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Regions, while they are comparatively higher in certain provinces within the Eastern Black Sea, Western Anatolia, Aegean, and Marmara Regions. Data show that the phenomenon of gray divorce in Türkiye is a part of social transformation.

Keywords

Divorce Gray Divorce Late-life Divorces Demographic Indicators Türkiye

Ethical Statement

The author(s) declared that they complied with ethical principles during the preparation of the study.

References

  • Amato, P. R. & Previti, D. (2003). People’s reasons for divorcing: Gender, social class, the life course, and adjustment. Journal of Family Issues, 24(5), 602-626.
  • Berardo, D. H. (1982). Divorce and remarriage at middle age and beyond. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 464(1), 132-139.
  • Bildtgård, T. (2022). Gray divorce: An increasingly common path to uncoupling in later life. Innovation in Aging, 6(Suppl 1), 40.
  • Bildtgård, T. & Öberg, P. (2022). The existential context of gray divorce. Innovation in Aging, 6(Supplement_1), 40-41.
  • Benson, J., Olivia, L., Donehower, A. & Sanner, C. (2022). Relief, regrets, and reinvention: life after gray divorce. Innovation in Aging, 6(Suppl 1), 41.
  • Brown, S. L. & Lin, I. F. (2012). The gray divorce revolution: Rising divorce among middle-aged and older adults, 1990-2010. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 67(6), 731-741.
  • Brown, S. L. & Lin, I. F. (2022). The graying of divorce: A half century of change. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 77(9), 1710-1720.
  • Brown, S. L., Lin, I. F., Hammersmith, A. M. & Wright, M. R. (2018). Later life marital dissolution and repartnership status: A national portrait. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 73(6), 1032-1042.
  • Brown, S. L., Lin, I. F. & Mellencamp, PhD, K. A. (2023). A brief report on living arrangements following gray divorce. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 78(8), 1396-1401.
  • Buyukkececi, Z. & Leopold, T. (2024). Parent‒child relationships following gray divorce: Stronger ties with mothers, weaker ties with fathers. The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 79(5), gbae004.
  • Caarls, K., & De Valk, H. A. (2018). Regional diffusion of divorce in Türkiye. European Journal of Population, 34(4), 609-636.
  • Canham, S. L., Mahmood, A., Stott, S., Sixsmith, J. & O’Rourke, N. (2014). ‘Til divorce do us part: Marriage dissolution in later life. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 55(8), 591-612.
  • Crowley, J. E. (2019a). Gray divorce: Explaining midlife marital splits. Journal of Women & Aging, 31(1), 49-72.
  • Crowley, J. E. (2019b). Does everything fall apart? Life assessments following a gray divorce. Journal of Family Issues, 40(11), 1438-1461.
  • Elmas, Ç. & Adak, N. (2023). Türkiye’de Boşanma Nedenlerinin Toplumsal Kökenleri ve Boşanma Sonrası Deneyimler. İstanbul University Journal of Sociology, 43(1), 84-97.
  • Erkan, E. & Yamak, R. (2017). Türkiye’de boşanma olgusunun belirleyicileri: Panel veri analizi. Eurasian Business & Economics Journal, 75-94.
  • Ersöz, A. (2011). Türkiye’de boşanma olgusu ve kadına yönelik aile içi şiddet ilişkisi üzerine bir değerlendirme. Istanbul Journal of Sociological Studies, (43), 249-264.
  • Gigy, L. & Kelly, J. B. (1993). Reasons for divorce: Perspectives of divorcing men and women. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 18(1-2), 169-188.
  • Hawkins, A. J., Willoughby, B. J., & Doherty, W. J. (2012). Reasons for divorce and openness to marital reconciliation. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 53(6), 453-463.
  • Hammond, R. J. & Muller, G. O. (1992). The late-life divorced: Another look. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 17(3-4), 135-150.
  • Högnäs, R. S. (2020). Gray divorce and social and emotional loneliness. In Divorce in Europe: New insights in trends, causes and consequences of relation break-ups (pp. 147-165).
  • Kalkandeler Özdin, N. (2024). Aile Yaşam Döngüsünde Boş Yuva Sendromu. Aile ve Yalnızlık IV. Uluslararası Yalnızlık Sempozyumu Kitabı, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Yayınları, (83), 126-137.
  • Koç, T. (2019). Türkiye’de boşanma oranlarını etkileyen faktörlerin beta regresyon modeli ile belirlenmesi. Avrasya Uluslararası Araştırmalar Dergisi, 7(16), 1111-1117.
  • Kutlar, A., Torun, P., & Işık, T. T. (2016). Türkiye’de Bölgesel Boşanma Farklıkları: 2004-2013 Dönemi. In International Congress of Management Economy and Policy, November (pp. 2985-2992).
  • Lin, I. F., Brown, S. L., Wright, M. R. & Hammersmith, A. M. (2016). Antecedents of gray divorce: A life course perspective. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 73(6), 1022-1031.
  • Lin, I. F. & Brown, S. L. (2020). The economic consequences of gray divorce for women and men. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 76(10), 2073-2085.
  • Lin, I. F., Brown, S. L., & Mellencamp, K. A. (2023). Gray divorce and parent‒child disconnectedness: Implications for depressive symptoms. Journal of Marriage and Family, 86(1), 95-110.
  • McKinley, I. (2023). Understanding the Gray Divorce Phenomenon. Retrieved June 29, 2025, from https://www.mckinleyirvin.com/family-law-blog/2023/September/understanding-the-gray-divorcephenomenon/#:~:text=Put%20simply%2C%20the%20term%20%E2%80%9Cgray, individuals%2050%20years%20or%20older.
  • Milliyet, (2025). Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://www.milliyet.com.tr/gundem/turkiyede-gri-bosanma-5-yilda-yuzde-44-53-artti-7338541.
  • Montenegro, X. P. (2004). A study of divorce at midlife and beyond. Washington, DC: American Association for Retired Persons. Retrieved July 8, 2025 from http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/general/divorce_1.pdf.
  • NTV News. (2025). Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/gri-bosanma-artiyor-gecen-yil-55-bin-cift-evliligini-sonlandirdi, rqQiGn11Rk26YtaWjiJU4g.
  • O’Mara. (2025). The O’Mara Law Group Explains: What Is Gray Divorce? Retrieved June 29, 2025, from https://www.omaralawgroup.com/blog/what-is-gray-divorce/.
  • Sayer, L. C. & Bianchi, S. M. (2000). Women’s economic independence and the probability of divorce: A review and reexamination. Journal of Family Issues, 21(7), 906-943. https://doi.org/10.1177/019251300021007005
  • Şahbaz, H. (2022). Coğrafi bir bakış açısıyla 2001-2020 döneminde Türkiye’deki boşanmalar. Erzurum Teknik Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, (14), 21-58.
  • Şahinalp, M. S. (2024). Covid-19 pandemisi döneminde Türkiye’de yaşanan boşanmalar üzerine bir değerlendirme. Fırat University Journal of Social Sciences, 34(3), 1115-1130.
  • Slavov, S. N. & Wei, C. (2021). Gray divorce and labor supply. Applied Economics Letters, 30(1), 66-79.
  • Tosi, M. & van den Broek, T. (2020). Gray divorce and mental health in the United Kingdom. Social Science & Medicine, 256, 113030.
  • TÜİK. (2025a). Turkish Statistical Institute, Marriage and divorce statistics 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2025, from https://data.TÜİK.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Evlenme-ve-Bosanma-Istatistikleri-2024-54194.
  • TÜİK. (2025b). Turkish Statistical Institute, Women in Statistics, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2025, from https://data.TÜİK.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Istatistiklerle-Kadin-2024-54076
  • Uhlenberg, P. & Myers, M. A. P. (1981). Divorce and elderly individuals. The Gerontologist, 21(3), 276-282.
  • Üçler, G., & Kızılkaya, O. (2014). Kadın istihdamının boşanma ve doğurganlık üzerine etkileri: Türkiye üzerine bölgesel panel veri analizi. Akademik Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 2(2), 28-43.
  • Yıldırım, N. (2004). Türkiye’de boşanma ve sebepleri. Bilig (Türk Dünyası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi), 28, 59-81.
  • Zhao, H., Andreyeva, T., & Sun, X. (2024). Food Security and Health Outcomes following Gray Divorce. Nutrients, 16(5), 633.
There are 43 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Family Sociology
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Şükrü Türköz 0000-0001-6185-3785

Early Pub Date November 26, 2025
Publication Date November 28, 2025
Submission Date July 24, 2025
Acceptance Date October 1, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 9 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Türköz, Ş. (2025). The Demographic Aspects of the Gray Divorce Phenomenon in Türkiye. İçtimaiyat, 9(2), 95-110. https://doi.org/10.33709/ictimaiyat.1750237

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