During times of crisis, the number of divorces is usually slightly more than they otherwise are.
This has been seen during the economic crisis years in the 1990s and after the financial crisis in 2009. During the war years in the 1940s, more people also differed than usual.
On the one hand, it affects the national economy and on the other hand, it affects the families' own financial situation with unemployment, sick leave and anxiety.
But never before have relationships been faced with the same trials as now during the pandemic, says Gunnar Andersson.
- A large number of families have spent a lot of time together at home and then divorces that might have occurred later may be initiated more quickly.
Difficult times can weld couples together, but in relationships that were already problematic in the past, conflicts can accelerate.
Clear increase in statistics
This is noticeable in the statistics on applications for divorce submitted to the Swedish National Courts Administration.
If you compare the half year with the corona pandemic (March to August 2020) with what it usually looks like during the corresponding period in the second year (an average of the years 2015-2019), an increase of 633 cases can be seen this year.
From approximately 15,300 applications to close to 16,000 - for married couples with children under the age of 18, a reflection period of six months will be added before the divorce becomes final.
For researchers, the demographic development during the pandemic is interesting to follow.
Gunnar Andersson will study how childbirth, which has decreased steadily in recent years, is affected by the pandemic.
For natural reasons, those figures do not yet exist and Gunnar Andersson does not really want to speculate on how they will change.
- But I can not imagine that childbirth will increase very significantly, he says.
Although a lot can happen.
This is just the beginning of a new situation in the wake of the corona epidemic.