Divorce Rate in Jember Rises, Majority Triggered by Economic Issues

The divorce rate in Jember Regency has soared. The local Religious Court (PA) recorded 2,211 divorce cases filed from January to the end of May 2026.

PA Jember spokesperson Anwar stated that the high number of divorces in the past five months was dominated by contested divorce filings from wives, triggered by economic factors. According to him, many husbands work odd jobs, making it difficult for them to provide a decent living.

“On average, it’s 99 per cent. It’s all about economic maintenance. Because the husband does not have a permanent job,” he said when met at the PA Jember office.

Anwar added that the trigger for household breakdowns often starts from trivial matters. One of them is fulfilling the need for mobile phone internet credit for the wife.

“Nowadays, the average husband and wife, even if their education level is low, must have a mobile phone. Well, that phone needs credit. Meanwhile, they are already struggling just to meet basic daily needs,” he said.

This dependence on gadgets apparently opens the door for the presence of a third party. Anwar did not deny that divorce lawsuits are also rife due to affairs that begin with online communication. Apart from economic factors and third parties, acts of domestic violence (KDRT) are also a reason wives in Jember choose to separate.