New research has found that couples who have humanist weddings are significantly less likely to divorce than those who choose other types of marriage ceremonies.

The figures from a Scottish study found that couples who married in a humanist ceremony were four times less likely to divorce than those who married in a Roman Catholic church, Church of Scotland or civil ceremonies.

According to the BBC, Statistics from the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) showed couples married in humanist ceremonies were three times less likely to divorce than Roman Catholic marriages, more than two times less likely to divorce than Church of Scotland marriages and almost four times less likely to divorce than civil marriages.

Analysis of divorce rates for 2017/18 showed that for marriages that have taken place in the past five years humanist weddings had a divorce rate of 1.7 in every 1,000, whereas civil ceremonies were 7.3.

The Church of Scotland divorce rate for marriages less than five years old was 5.8 in 1,000 and for Roman Catholic weddings it was five.

Andrew Copson, chief executive of Humanists UK, told the Scotsman: “These figures show what a good start for couples a humanist wedding can be and they deserve a lot of attention.

“A humanist ceremony is an opportunity for couples to have a completely bespoke, completely unique day that reflects their beliefs and values.

“Humanist weddings are deeply personal, with a unique ceremony crafted for each couple by a celebrant that gets to know them well and ensures that their script and vows reflect precisely who they are and the commitment they are making to each other.

“I think that’s what gives it the strength and resilience that it has.”

Speaking to Radio 4' Sunday programme, Harry Benson, research director at the Marriage Foundation said the figures were "sensible" but there are "caveats", adding: "It may be that humanists are older or richer than most, either of which would account for their apparently lower divorce rates".

He added: "However couples with a shared faith or worldview tend to do better, which might well also apply to humanist couples. And as social pressure to marry has reduced, divorce rates have been tumbling across the board as fewer couples 'slide' into marriage and more 'decide'."

Since April 2013, when the Civil Registration Amendment Act 2012 came into force, couples in Ireland can legally marry in a humanist ceremony, as long as the celebrant is accredited by the Humanist Association of Ireland .