Purwokerto, Central Java – The prolonged economic crisis has brought about an increase in the number of divorces, Muhammad Farid, an official at Purwokerto's religious court said Monday.

"In 2009, the court recorded a 70 percent increase (on average) in the number of divorce cases every month," Farid told The Jakarta Post.

He said the court heard at least 250 divorce cases every month this year while only processing 150 similar cases monthly last year.

He revealed most of the divorce cases were filled by wives. "The major reason is economic, such as husbands losing their jobs."