Divorces up in Singapore

Divorces up in Singapore

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.