Madrid  - Spain's divorce rate declined in 2008 owing to the country's economic crisis, official figures showed Thursday.

About 119,000 Spanish couples ended their marriage in 2008, down 13.5 per cent from 2007, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE).

The average divorcing couples comprised partners aged slightly over 40 years, who had been married for nearly 16 years.

Experts attribute the decline of divorce mainly to the economic crisis, which makes it difficult for divorcing couples to sell their home and to acquire separate housing.

The European Commission expects Spain's economy to shrink 3.7 per cent this year, while unemployment is running at 18 per cent.(dpa)