10 Reasons People Don’t Want to Get Married These Days

Marriage is no longer the universal aspiration it once was. Modern attitudes, shifting social values, economic realities, and changing relationship priorities have led increasing numbers of people to delay, avoid, or reject marriage altogether. This high-value content explores the top reasons behind the decline in marriage, offering actionable insights, relevant data sources, and embedded LSI/semantic keywords throughout for optimal SEO.

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1. Changing Career Priorities and Personal Ambitions

Young adults—especially women—are prioritizing their careers, personal development, and independence. Surveys find that over 40% of millennials cite career progression, financial stability, and the freedom to pursue personal ambitions as major reasons for delaying marriage.

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2. Commitment Anxiety and Fear of Responsibility

Commitment anxiety is on the rise. Studies show nearly 46% of eligible bachelors fear marriage responsibilities, including emotional, financial, and familial obligations. Many individuals see marriage as a lifelong commitment they are not ready to undertake.

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3. Rise of Cohabitation and Alternative Relationships

Cohabitation, long-term dating, and other flexible relationship forms are increasingly popular. People feel secure and fulfilled in relationships without the legal or religious bindings of marriage. The notion of “living together” offers companionship and love without the perceived risks and restrictions.

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4. High Divorce Rates and Negative Parental Models

Exposure to unsuccessful parental marriages and growing up in families affected by divorce make many wary of marriage. Over 75% of surveyed young adults attribute marriage hesitancy to observing their parents’ marital struggles. Additionally, high divorce rates add to skepticism about marital stability.

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5. Economic Insecurity and Rising Costs of Weddings

Financial reasons play a major role. Millennials and Gen Z are burdened by student debt, housing affordability crises, and job market uncertainty. The average wedding cost—nearly £30,000/$35,000 in some regions—makes marriage a daunting financial prospect.

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6. Declining Social Pressure and Reduced Religious Influence

Societal and religious pressure to marry is waning. Fewer couples view marriage as a religious or social necessity. In the UK, only 18% of marriages are religious ceremonies; most are secular. People feel freer to form relationships without conforming to tradition.

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7. Empowerment and Gender Equality

Women, in particular, are finding empowerment in remaining single. In studies across the US, India, and the Caribbean, women cite career opportunities, independence, and gender equality as core reasons for refusing marriage. Marriage is seen as patriarchal, limiting autonomy and decision-making.

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8. Mental Health Awareness and Pursuit of Personal Wellbeing

Awareness around mental health and emotional wellbeing makes many people cautious about entering marriage. Singles often report higher levels of happiness, autonomy, and psychological wellness than those in marital relationships where personal growth is hindered.

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9. Uncertainty Around Fertility and Family Planning

The desire for children—a traditional reason for marriage—is evolving. Younger generations are reconsidering parenthood, with declining fertility rates and changing attitudes toward family formation. Many now pursue alternative paths, including single parenthood or childfree lifestyles.

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10. Ability to Build Social Support Networks Outside Marriage

Strong friendship groups, community ties, and extended family networks increasingly replace the emotional and practical support marriage once provided. People are finding purpose, meaning, and security in relationships outside traditional marriage.

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Data Sources and Recent Trends

• Saurashtra University Survey (India): 46% of bachelors say fear of responsibility is a main deterrent to marriage, 90% of participants prefer to delay marriage, and 75% cite parental divorce or unhappy models as contributing factors.

• Office of National Statistics (UK): Marriage rates decreased to historic lows, with less than one-fifth of ceremonies now religious.

• University of Houston Research: Women globally cite empowerment, career progress, infidelity, and finding meaning outside marriage as top reasons for opting out.

• Pew Research (US, 2025): Despite 59–63% of LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ adults under 50 expressing interest in marriage, a substantial and growing segment prefer staying single or delaying marriage.

• Cardus Think Tank (Canada, 2025): Declining marriage rates correlate with plummeting fertility figures, revealing evolving family values and priorities.

• Grayfords (UK): Only 18.6 marriages per 1,000 men and 17.2 per 1,000 women annually, the lowest numbers since tracking began.

• Ifstudies (US): One-third of young adults projected to never marry by age 45, a dramatic rise from past generations.

Marriage decline, marriage hesitation, modern relationships, financial barriers to marriage, career priorities, gender roles, mental health in relationships, secularization of marriage, social networks, autonomy, empowerment, cost of weddings, alternative family structures, commitment avoidance, fertility trends, divorce impact.

Conclusion & Actionable Takeaways

Marriage’s role in society is transforming. Career focus, financial realities, evolving gender roles, alternative relationships, and shifting social values drive mounting reluctance to marry. Those in the wedding, relationship advice, and family planning industries must recognize these profound changes—and respond with content and services that prioritize autonomy, mental health, personal wellbeing, and diverse relationships.