Iran’s marriage rate continues to fall

Shahrzadnews:The latest statistics show that over 11.2 million Iranians have never married, 14.5% of the population. Add the huge number of divorced people to this figure, and the picture becomes a worrying one for a nation in which 60% of the population is under 35.

Despite the power of a tradition that encourages marriage, young Iranians who want to marry face enormous problems, thanks to unemployment, a shortage of housing, and problems with getting a mortgage. Many too have unrealistic expectations of the life marriage will bring. Furthermore, since the establishment of the Islamic republic, different cultural values have emerged. Add uncertainties about the future and job security, social problems such as drug addiction, prostitution and temporary marriage, and it is no surprise that the Iranian marriage rate is dwindling year by year.

A sizeable proportion of Iran’s 80 million people are young and well-educated, but after graduating it is hard for them to find suitable jobs. After years of mismanagement and international sanctions the country’s economy is suffering badly, and more and more companies are reluctant to offer long-term employment.

In consequence young Iranians are less inclined to opt for traditional marriage and having a family, turning instead to less socially-acceptable relationships. Meanwhile many Iranian sociologists blame the government’s population-control policies for the unprecedented increase in the number of single Iranians.

Iran’s male-dominated culture has led to a situation in which many parents expect a prospective daughter-in-law to be highly-educated, earning a top salary, but at the same time someone who will be submissive to her husband and his family. These are characteristics they are unlikely to find in the same woman, so it is hardly surprising that there is a shortage of wives. Parents looking for a suitable husband for their daughters have similar expectations. Boys earning high salaries in steady jobs and girls employed as teachers, bank clerks and nurses are in great demand.

Zohreh is a technician in a hospital operating theatre. She says most of the men who have proposed to her are relatives of her patients. They know that as a health professional she earns a good salary. They are not interested in her, only the financial security she can provide.

Fariba is a private company director. She fears that marriage could easily lead to divorce if she does not get on with her husband. She also has doubts about the suitability of those who propose to her, as her long working-hours and lack of social life mean she has no time to get to know them.

Mina, 27, is a graduate. She feels that in addition to economic factors, gender and social inequalities in Iranian society have played a major role in the drop in the marriage rate. She is happy being single, and fears that getting married would limit her rights and potential for development.

Shahin is an engineer, but his job is not secure, which he says is one of the reasons he is still a bachelor. Also he has a sister with Down syndrome, and he fears that were he to have children they might carry the same gene.

Jawad says he is quite happy with being single. Why should he lose his freedom by getting married? He sees no reason for it.

Pooya, 30, is a graduate. “I have been living with my girlfriend for the last three years,” he says. “We ran away from our homes and started to live together. Our families don’t know about it, though they might have guessed. The most important thing about our relationship is that although we are together, we still feel free. The moment we start to have no feelings towards each other, we will quite happily part.”