Why Gen Zs are shying away from marriages

Economic and housing constraints were identified as the biggest barriers to forming relationships. [iStockphoto]

Imagine having a spouse, with children but broke all together… this is the dilemma many young people across the globe are battling.

A new survey by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reveals that although majority of them are grappling with the rising economic challenges, the have great value for family.

The 2026 demographic report, which gathered responses from young adults aged between 18 and 39 across 73 countries and territories, found that many young people still hope to build families in the future.

However, financial insecurity, expensive housing, unstable employment and limited access to reproductive health services are making it difficult for many to achieve these goals.

The report, titled ‘Lives, Choices and Futures: What Young Adults Want and What Shapes Their Decisions About Relationships and Parenthood’, seeks to understand what young people want for their future and the challenges affecting their decisions about relationships and parenthood.

According to the findings, most respondents remain optimistic about the future.

Nearly two-thirds described themselves as feeling somewhat or very positive despite the many social and economic difficulties facing the world today.

Economic security emerged as the most important life goal among respondents, with 71.1 per cent saying it was very important.

Health and well-being followed closely at 68.9 per cent, while achieving education and career goals ranked third at 55.5 per cent.

Family life also remained a priority for many respondents, showing that young people still value building relationships and raising children.

The survey also examined what worries young people most.

More than half of the respondents said conflict and security risks were their greatest concern.

Economic insecurity and inequality came second, followed by global health and environmental risks.

Governance, political instability and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence were also identified as significant concerns.

Despite these worries, the report found that marriage remains the preferred relationship choice for many young adults.

More than two-thirds of respondents said they would like to marry either before or after living with a partner.

Only a small percentage preferred to live with a partner without any intention of getting married.

Many respondents who wished to be in relationships reported being single. Among adults aged 25 to 39 who ideally wanted a partner, around one-quarter were single and not dating.

Economic and housing constraints were identified as the biggest barriers to forming relationships.

Other factors included previous relationship experiences, work demands, health concerns and social discrimination.

The survey also explored attitudes towards having children.

Across most regions of the world, respondents said their ideal family size was two children.

However, the actual number of children among older respondents aged 35 to 39 was lower than their ideal, suggesting that many people have fewer children than they originally planned.

The findings also showed that a large number of adults in their late thirties who had no children still hoped to become parents.

More than 70 percent of men and about 40 per cent of women without children said they would ideally like to have children in the future.

Financial readiness is identified as the most important condition before becoming a parent.

Most respondents say they wanted stable employment, emotional readiness and secure housing before starting a family.

Home ownership, completing education and establishing a career were also considered important milestones before having children.

On the other hand, economic hardship remained the biggest obstacle to parenthood.

High living costs, lack of suitable partners and health-related concerns were among the leading reasons why young people delayed or reconsidered having children.

Some respondents also pointed to heavy caregiving responsibilities and uncertainty about the future as additional barriers.

The report noted that public discussions often suggest young people are losing interest in marriage and parenthood.

However, the survey findings present a different picture. Instead of rejecting family life, many young adults still desire long-term relationships and children but feel unable to achieve these goals because of circumstances beyond their control.

UNFPA said the findings highlight the need for governments and policymakers to create environments that allow young people to make their own reproductive choices freely.

The organization recommends investing in affordable housing, stable employment opportunities, quality healthcare and policies that promote gender equality both at home and in the workplace.

The report also calls for greater involvement of young people in shaping policies that affect their future.

Researchers argue that listening directly to young people’s experiences can help governments design programmes that respond to their real needs rather than relying on assumptions.

UNFPA plans to expand the research through additional regional studies and follow-up surveys to better understand how young people’s aspirations continue to change over time.

The organisation hopes the findings will guide policies that support young people in achieving their education, career, relationship and family goals.

Overall, the survey concludes that while today’s young adults face significant economic and social pressures, they have not abandoned their dreams of partnership and parenthood.

Instead, many are waiting for the right conditions that will allow them to build the lives and families they desire.