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The divorce rate rose in 2012 according to the Office for National Statistics and it has been suggested that the recession is to blame. In total 118,140 divorces were granted in England and Wales in 2012 – compared with 117,558 in 2011 – an overall increase of 0.5%. Reports have suggested that the recent recession and the increased financial strain couples faced as a result of this could be behind the increase, further pointing out that recent trends support theories that recessions will bring about an increase in the number of divorces but that this will be delayed. The report further theorised that these delays could be attributed to couples waiting for the economy to improve so as to see an increase in the value of their assets, whilst other commentators have argued that spouses may be more confident to separate because of the improving economy. The average age at which men became divorced in 2012 stood at 44.1 compared with 41.8 for women, whilst 65% of all petitions were filed by women. Additionally, a slightly larger number of people over the age of 60 divorced in 2012 with 15,729 ending their marriages compared with 15,300 in 2011.