Even as fertility rates drop, young still aspire to partnership, parenthood, shows UN report

A UNFPA survey of 73 countries, including India, found young adults still aspire to marriage and parenthood despite declining fertility and marriage rates.

Over two-thirds of respondents selected marriage as their ideal relationship arrangement, either before or after cohabitation.

Financial security was the highest-rated consideration for partnership formation, cited by 81% of respondents, with economic and housing constraints reported as key barriers by 57%.

Among respondents aged 25-39 who ideally wish to marry or cohabit, a quarter are currently single and not dating, with the proportion higher among men (30%) than women (19%).

India's youth expressed optimism about the future while worrying about economic insecurity, and older respondents reported having fewer children than their ideal family size.