The number of new divorces appearing in civil courts in Canada continues to decrease, Statistics Canada reports.

Declines were seen in the seven reporting provinces and territories, with the exception of British Columbia where the number of new divorce cases increased 4%.

In 2010/2011, there were 53,804 new divorce cases in seven provinces and territories, down 2% from 2009/2010, when there were 54,996. In 2008/2009 there were 56,104 cases in civil courts.

But the latest stats are still higher than 2007/2008, when there were 51,710 new divorce cases -- although data for the entire year were not available from Alberta.

Stats weren't available from Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Most divorces are granted within six months.
StatsCan said part of the reason for a decrease in divorces could be that fewer people are getting married, or they live in common-law relationships.

In 2008, it was estimated that 41% of marriages will end in divorce before the 30th year of marriage, an increase from 36% in 1998.