Bahman Abdi, the Director General of the Youth Planning and Social Participation Office of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, presented alarming statistics regarding the marriage situation in the country during a series of "Iran's Tomorrow" meetings. He announced that about 18 million people in Iran, including girls and boys, have never married. This number includes 10 million men and 8 million women.
Age Range and Its Impacts
Abdi pointed out the age range of this population, explaining that girls over 13 years old and boys over 15 years old who have never married were considered in this calculation. This information reflects a bitter reality in society that requires more thorough examination and finding appropriate solutions to change it.
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The Necessity of Providing Suitable Grounds for Marriage
The Director General of the Youth Planning and Social Participation Office emphasized the necessity of creating suitable conditions for youth marriage. He said: "Considering the population of individuals at the marriageable age, the necessary infrastructure and legal grounds must be provided so that individuals can access their desired options in the marriage market and make choices based on their criteria."
Abdi also referred to the differences in individuals' expectations from marriage and family formation in various social groups. He added: "Living conditions, education level, and economic and social status can influence their expectations from marriage." For example, a person in a rural area may consider having the minimum living conditions and shelter as sufficient to establish a family, while someone with higher education and income may have different expectations from marriage.
The Impact of Education and Economic Status on Willingness to Marry
Abdi referred to the results of studies conducted in this area, stating that the rate of marriage aversion among individuals with higher education is reported to be 65 percent higher than those with lower education. This statistic may indicate a profound change in young people's attitudes towards marriage.
He also pointed to the role of economic status in the willingness to marry, stating: "According to conducted studies, individuals' assessment of their economic situation is also related to their willingness to marry." According to him, some individuals who assess their economic situation as more favorable have shown less willingness to marry. This issue can be seen as a warning sign for policymakers and social planners in the country.
Ultimately, Bahman Abdi emphasized that special attention should be paid to these statistics and situation, and appropriate measures should be taken to guide youth towards marriage and family formation. This issue not only helps improve the social and economic situation of the country but can also lead to the creation of stability and security in society.
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