NIGHT OWL
Marriage in the Philippines is no longer the inevitable milestone it once was. Among Gen Z Filipinos—the country’s youngest adults—a quiet but profound shift is underway. A recent survey conducted by Arkipelago Analytics reveals that only 40 percent of Gen Z respondents say they want to get married someday. Of those, a significant 60 percent prefer to do so after the age of 35. This deferral of commitment reflects not only evolving cultural values but also a deeper, more pragmatic concern: the high cost of living and mounting economic pressures are fundamentally reshaping how the next generation approaches love, partnership, and the future.
The backdrop to this transformation is sobering. According to newly released government data, the number of registered marriages declined by 7.8 percent in 2023, falling from 449,428 in 2022 to 414,213. The crude marriage rate dropped as well—from 4.0 to 3.7 marriages per 1,000 population. These statistics mirror broader demographic shifts seen globally, but in the Philippines, they also signal the growing burden of economic insecurity, especially for younger Filipinos who are entering adulthood during a time of financial volatility.
For Gen Z, marriage is no longer the first step toward building a stable life—it’s something to be considered afterachieving emotional readiness, financial independence, and career security. This represents a marked departure from previous generations, many of whom viewed marriage in their twenties as a rite of passage or cultural expectation. Today’s young adults are more likely to view it as a long-term, emotionally driven commitment—one that must be timed carefully, not rushed into.
Financial factors weigh heavily on these decisions. Skyrocketing costs for housing, education, healthcare, and even weddings themselves have made the idea of settling down more daunting than romantic. For many Gen Z Filipinos, still grappling with job precarity and limited savings, the economic realities of marriage are simply too steep. The cost of hosting a wedding that satisfies both cultural and familial expectations can run into hundreds of thousands of pesos—a figure that is increasingly difficult to justify amid rising inflation and stagnant wages. Moreover, the long-term responsibilities of married life—raising children, buying a home, managing dual incomes—require a level of financial stability that often feels out of reach.
Even beyond financial obstacles, the survey points to a broader shift in motivation. When asked why they would consider marriage, Gen Z respondents cited emotional and relational reasons: sharing life with someone they love and trust, having a lifelong teammate, and building physical and emotional intimacy. Fewer mentioned raising children, securing financial or legal benefits, or conforming to religious or societal expectations. In short, marriage is no longer a social default but a deeply personal choice—one driven less by obligation and more by emotional alignment and self-awareness.
This mindset reflects a more introspective and emotionally intelligent generation—one that prioritizes authenticity, personal growth, and mental health. Many Gen Z Filipinos say they feel little to no pressure to get married at all. That freedom of choice, once rare in a culture so steeped in familial tradition, marks a generational pivot away from conformity and toward autonomy.
And yet, this cultural redefinition doesn’t mean marriage is disappearing. It means that for Gen Z, the idea of “forever” comes with terms. Those terms are being shaped by economic forces as much as by personal philosophy. As long as housing remains unaffordable, job markets unstable, and weddings prohibitively expensive, many in this generation will continue to see marriage not as a foundational act, but as a luxury—something to pursue later, if and when life allows.
In a country where family has long been considered the cornerstone of society, these shifts present both challenges and opportunities. The Philippine government and private institutions alike must reckon with the social consequences of delayed partnerships and reimagined family structures. That means addressing the material conditions—economic insecurity, housing inaccessibility, and lack of social safety nets—that make it harder for young people to imagine a stable future, with or without a partner.
Marriage, for Gen Z, is still on the table—but it’s being saved for a time when love can thrive without the weight of survival. Until then, it’s simply too expensive to say “I do.”