Divorces up in Singapore

Mon, 28 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB | Source: AP

SINGAPORE (AP): The number of divorces in Singapore rose
sharply last year, a news report said on Sunday, in a trend some
in this conservative city-state blame on the increasing financial
independence of women.

Non-Muslim divorces rose 14 percent in 1998 to 4,186, and
Muslim divorces increased by 21 percent last year to 1,465 in the
same period, The Straits Times newspaper said, citing government
statistics.

Divorces for the two groups are usually handled in different
courts and reported separately in Singapore, which has 3.2
million people. Muslims make up about 15 percent of the
population.

Experts said the rise was likely due to more women having
careers and becoming aware of their rights, and to stress caused
by Asia's economic crisis.

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