Kazakhstanis are getting married less: statistics

Tengrinews.kz – In Kazakhstan, there has been a decline in the number of marriages. This was reported by the First Credit Bureau.

Decline in the number of marriages

According to the information, approximately 22,500 unions were registered in Kazakhstan in the first three months of this year. This figure represents a 16% decrease (or 4,300 fewer unions) compared to the same period last year.

This is the lowest level since the beginning of 2014, excluding the anomaly during the COVID-19 restrictions in the second quarter of 2020 (April to June), when only 16,600 marriages were registered.

There was a particularly sharp decrease in marriages in Almaty (down by 21%) and Turkestan region (down by 19%).

If we look at the number of marriages per 1,000 people in Kazakhstan during the first quarter of this year, the overall marriage rate has also decreased. The marriage rate for January-March was 4.47 compared to 5.33 during the same months last year. The lowest rate was in the West Kazakhstan region (3.72), and the highest in Almaty region (5.26).

Why are Kazakhstani people marrying less?

According to psychologists, there are several reasons why Kazakhstani people are less inclined to marry.

They believe that for many, the marriage certificate is no longer a priority, as people have become more mindful about choosing a partner, value personal comfort, and increasingly opt for civil marriages as a "test drive" before making serious commitments.

Economic instability, rising housing costs, and everyday expenses also play a role, with many people seeing marriage as an expensive step. Following global trends, most people prioritize education and career first, aiming to become financially stable, save for housing, and build a financial cushion.

The negative background also plays a role - Kazakhstani people are increasingly afraid of the problems that come with marriage, ranging from domestic violence and gambling addiction to divorces and alimony. Some have developed the mindset that getting married will only make things worse.

Furthermore, expectations and reality often do not align in relationships. People enter marriages without discussing values, without learning how to communicate, and end up facing conflicts and disappointments. The level of distrust in society is growing, and many partners, according to psychologists, demonstrate emotional immaturity.

Marriage statistics from previous years

In 2019, according to the demographic yearbook, over 139,000 marriages were registered in Kazakhstan. In the pandemic year of 2020, the number dropped to 128,800. In 2021, there was a rise to 140,200 marriages nationwide. However, since then, Kazakhstani people have been marrying less: 128,300 in 2022, and 120,800 in 2023.

The average age for marriage has remained almost unchanged in recent years: 27-28 years for men and 24-25 years for women.

At the same time, the number of divorces has also decreased. In 2019, there were 59,700 divorces registered nationwide, while in 2023, the number was 40,200.