Divorce Rate in Bandung Rises Sharply, Economic Pressures and Inflation Blamed
The city of Bandung is facing a serious social challenge as divorce rates continue to climb. By mid-July 2026, the Bandung Class IA Religious Court had recorded a total of 4,958 incoming cases, with divorce filings dominating the docket compared to other legal disputes such as inheritance, grants, endowments, or guardianship.
Court Registrar Dede Supriadi detailed that 4,175 of the incoming cases were divorce petitions. To date, the court has adjudicated 4,692 cases, including those carried over from the previous period, while 782 other cases remain in the trial process.
According to Dede Supriadi, the high divorce rate in the ‘City of Flowers’ is driven by two fundamental factors. The majority of couples filing for divorce cite economic problems and the presence of a third party or infidelity as the main reasons. ‘The majority of the reasons are indeed economic and third-party interference. There are other reasons, but the numbers are relatively small,’ Dede stated.
This marital breakdown trend aligns with macroeconomic data for Bandung. The financial burden on households has grown heavier alongside an annual inflation rate that touched 3.37 per cent as of June, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) standing at 111.21. Several sectors have experienced significant price increases, adding to the pressure on domestic harmony.
Beyond financial factors, the presence of a third party or infidelity is the second most dominant reason for divorce. This disloyalty often becomes the nadir that leads couples to choose to end their marriage bonds in court.
Despite the high number of petitions, the Bandung Religious Court continues to prioritise reconciliation efforts. In accordance with applicable legal procedures, every couple filing a petition is required to undergo a mediation stage before entering the main case examination. The mediation process is conducted with the assistance of a court-appointed mediator, aiming to find common ground and reconcile both parties. Dede noted that this forum often yields positive results, with couples choosing to withdraw their petitions. ‘There are also those who, after mediation, finally withdraw the case files. So, there is an opportunity for reconciliation through that mediation forum,’ he concluded. If mediation is declared unsuccessful, the panel of judges will then proceed to examine the substance of the divorce case.
The high divorce rate in Bandung serves as an alarm for family resilience, which is heavily influenced by regional economic stability. With significant increases in the prices of basic necessities, the pressure on household harmony is becoming increasingly tangible. However, the mediation mechanism at the Religious Court is hoped to serve as a last bastion to suppress the divorce rate and restore family unity.