Mwelekeo Insights survey has shed light on a major shift in how young women in Nairobi view marriage. The study, which focused on women aged 18 to 30, surveyed 2,687 respondents from different parts of Nairobi County.
The results revealed a growing trend where marriage is no longer seen as a central goal in life for many young women today.
According to the study, only 29 percent of the women interviewed considered marriage an important life goal. In contrast, more than half, approximately 53 percent, stated that marriage was not a priority for them, while 18 percent remained uncertain about their views on marriage.
These findings demonstrate a change in how young women are thinking about their future, with marriage no longer being viewed as an essential part of life for the majority.
The survey delved deeper into the reasons behind this shift. The key factors influencing these women’s decisions were their desire for financial independence, career growth, and personal freedom.
Over half of the women expressed that they would rather focus on building their careers and becoming financially stable before even considering marriage.
This reflects the growing importance of personal development and financial security for young women today.
The idea of marriage affecting personal freedom also played a role in shaping their views. Around 60 percent of the women felt that marriage could reduce their freedom, with some explaining that once they were married, they would have to dedicate more time to family duties, possibly at the expense of their personal goals.
However, 25 percent believed that marriage could bring positive changes, and 15 percent felt neutral about the impact of marriage on their freedom.
Societal pressure to marry is still a strong influence on many young women. Half of the respondents reported feeling some pressure from their families or society to get married, especially those from more traditional backgrounds.
Despite this, many women still prioritize their independence and personal aspirations over traditional expectations.Religion also plays a role in shaping attitudes towards marriage.
While more than half of the women said their religious beliefs influence how they view marriage, a significant portion, about a third, stated that religion had a smaller impact on their views, and some even mentioned it had no effect at all. This suggests that, for many, religious beliefs are not as strong a factor in their decision-making as they may have been in the past.
When it comes to the ideal age for marriage, the study revealed a noticeable shift. 45% percent of the women surveyed said they would prefer to marry after the age of 30, while 30 percent thought the best age for marriage was between 28 and 30.
Only 18 percent were unsure about when they would like to get married.
This shift in perspective indicates that many young women are willing to delay marriage in order to focus on their careers, education, and personal growth first.Interestingly, the study also revealed that 51 percent of the women would be open to the idea of a polygamous marriage if it could offer financial benefits.
This finding suggests that, while young women may not prioritize marriage, they are open to non-traditional arrangement as long as they bring financial privileges.