A recent Gallup Pakistan survey, conducted from June 28 to July 10, 2024, sheds light on marriage trends in Pakistan. According to the survey, a significant majority of Pakistanis are married, with 80% of respondents indicating they are in a marital union, while 20% are unmarried.
The survey results show that married individuals are often women, reside in rural areas, and are over 50 years old. Specifically, 83% of people in rural areas are married, compared to 75% in urban areas. Additionally, women are 12% more likely to be married than men.
When breaking down the results by age groups:
- 56% of people aged 30 or younger are married, while 44% are unmarried.
- Among those aged 30 to 50, 91% are married, with only 9% unmarried.
- For individuals over 50 years old, a high 96% are married, and just 4% are unmarried.
The survey also explored the length of marriages. The findings are as follows:
- 17% of respondents have been married for 2 to 5 years.
- 30% have been married for 5 to 10 years.
- 17% have been married for 10 to 15 years.
- 14% have been married for 15 to 20 years.
- 9% have been married for 20 to 25 years.
- 13% have been married for more than 25 years.
Also Read: What a Weekend Snooze Could Do for Your Heart Health
Another notable finding is the continued prevalence of arranged marriages in Pakistan. The survey revealed that 81% of respondents had arranged marriages, while only 18% chose their partners based on love. Arranged marriages are more common among women, with 85% having such marriages compared to 14% who had love marriage. For men, 77% had arranged marriages, and 22% married someone of their own choice.
The survey highlights a strong preference for traditional arranged marriages in Pakistan, reflecting cultural norms that persist across generations. These trends underscore the continued importance of family and social expectations in shaping marital choices in the country.