A change in the attitude towards marriage among young people is being observed. It is said that the interest in forming a family has decreased among both women and men compared to previous years. Official statistical indicators also partially confirm this: the number of marriages is decreasing, while the number of divorces is increasing. So, is this situation merely a result of changes in people's lifestyles, or is it a warning signal that could lead to demographic problems in the future? Are there plans at the state level to prepare any incentive mechanisms or social programs in this direction? Has the topic been discussed in parliament?
In a statement to Medianews.az, Member of Parliament Razi Nurullayev said that in recent years there has been a trend in Azerbaijan: the interest in marriage among young people has decreased compared to previous periods.
According to him, this is not unique to our country, but rather part of social changes happening in many countries around the world. The world is rapidly modernizing, lifestyles are changing, and the priorities of young people are shifting in different directions:
“A portion of today's youth is not in a hurry to take on additional family burdens. They prioritize building a career first, improving their financial situation, personal development, and stabilizing their lives to a certain extent. Employment opportunities, social conditions, housing issues, and overall world outlook also play important roles here. Especially in big cities, the rising cost of living and increased economic responsibilities cause young people to postpone their decision to marry.”
On the other hand, the influence of social networks and global culture also affects this process to a certain extent. Young people tend to lean toward a more individual lifestyle, try to protect their personal freedoms, and make the decision to form a family after longer consideration.”
The Member of Parliament noted that although official statistics show a decrease in the number of marriages and an increase in divorces, there is currently no official stance at the government level that the demographic situation has reached a critical level:
“For this reason, special marriage promotion programs or raising this issue as a broad state program have, in my opinion, not yet been planned. This issue is also not among the topics widely discussed in parliament. Nevertheless, this issue is increasingly debated in society and on social media. This trend is periodically highlighted by several deputies, including myself, and the importance of strengthening social policy in certain directions to prevent future demographic risks is emphasized. Because the family institution is one of the main pillars of society, and changes occurring in this area may affect the country's demographic and social development in the long term.”
Oğuz Ayvaz
Medianews.az