Financial insecurity delays marriage and parenthood for young people, UNFPA report reveals

The report, based on a survey of over 108,000 young adults across 73 countries, found that more than two-thirds of individuals aged 18 to 39 desire marriage, and only about one in ten do not wish to have children. However, 88 percent of respondents consider financial security essential before having children, and 87 percent require stable employment before starting a family. UNFPA Executive Director Diene Keita noted that young people still value marriage and parenthood but need the right conditions to make these choices.

The study also highlighted that 80 percent of respondents cited the joy children bring as a primary reason for wanting them, with government incentives being less important. Young people in West and Central Africa, including Ghana, generally expressed a preference for larger families. The report suggests that Ghana could benefit from a demographic dividend if young people have access to education, healthcare, and decent employment, though unemployment and insecure work remain significant obstacles.

The delay in marriage is attributed to the difficulty of achieving financial security rather than a change in attitudes towards family.