Marriage rates in Jordan plummet for second consecutive year
A worrying trend has emerged in Jordan, where marriage rates have declined for the second year in a row, according to a report by Chief Judge Sheikh Abdul Hafiz Rabta.
The 7% decrease in local marriage rates reflects broader social, economic, and generational shifts, experts say.
Life coach and family advisor Shayma Awad told The Jordan Times that the decline can be attributed to changing cultural attitudes, where younger generations prioritise careers and work-life balance over starting families. “Younger generations prioritise careers and work-life balance over starting families” Awad noted.
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“Many people are becoming so accustomed to independence that marriage is no longer a priority,” she added.
Sociology professor Hussein Khozahe points to economic factors, such as the rising cost of housing and high youth unemployment, as significant deterrents to marriage.
Experts agree that the decline in marriage rates is a complex issue, influenced by evolving social norms, urbanization, and changing lifestyles that are reshaping traditional marriage dynamics. As Jordan grapples with these changes, concerns about the implications for family and societal structures grow.
