UNFPA: Economic insecurity delays marriage, parenthood
A new UNFPA report reveals that young adults globally are delaying marriage and parenthood due to economic instability and housing constraints. Despite these barriers, most young people still express a strong desire to raise families.
Why it matters
The findings underscore a growing global demographic challenge where economic policy directly impacts social and family structures.
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Young people are postponing marriage and parenthood because of financial and employment challenges, despite continuing to aspire to raise families, according to a new United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report.
The report, titled: ‘Lives, Choices and Futures: What Young People Want and What Shapes Their Decisions About Relationships and Parenthood’, is based on the Demographic Futures Survey of more than 108,000 adults aged 18–39 across 73 countries.
It found that financial security (88 per cent), stable employment (87 per cent) and emotional readiness (85 per cent) are the main factors influencing decisions on parenthood.
Economic and housing constraints were identified as the biggest barriers, with 57 per cent of respondents saying they limit opportunities to form relationships and 72 per cent citing them as the main obstacle to having children.
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