NEW DELHI: A first-of-its-kind survey of young adults (aged 18-39) across 73 countries, including India, by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) shows that even as much of the world’s marriage rates have declined and fertility has fallen to historically low levels, young people are not turning away from relationships or family life. Marriage, it says, remains “a common ideal relationship” arrangement among surveyed young adults.The report highlights that across countries — with very different demographic realities — many continue to aspire to partnership and parenthood, but say their decisions are increasingly shaped by financial security, stable employment, housing, gender equality and confidence in the future.UNFPA’s ‘Lives, Choices and Futures — Demographic Futures Survey’ 2026’ gathered perspectives of more than 1,08,000 internet connected young adults, including 1,722 respondents in India.More than two thirds of respondents selected an ideal relationship and living arrangement that includes marriage — 36% before living together and 34% after a period of cohabitation. The survey says 16% reported remaining single as their preferred living arrangement.Its findings gain significance, as across much of the world partnership formation is occurring later, marriage rates have declined and fertility has fallen to historically low levels. “Two thirds of the world’s population now lives in a country or area where the total fertility rate is below 2.1 children per woman — the level commonly associated with the population size remaining stable over time,” the survey says.Among respondents aged 25–39, who ideally wish to marry or live with a partner, a quarter are currently single and not dating. The proportion is higher among male respondents (30% than among female respondents (19%).Financial security is the highest-rated consideration for partnership formation, cited as important by 81% of respondents. It turns out that economic and housing constraints constitute the most commonly reported category of barrier to partnership, rated important by 57%.The survey finds that among respondents — currently seeking a partner — personal networks, school or work environments, and online platforms are the most commonly reported channels for meeting potential partners, each reported by approximately one third of respondents. Overall the survey says more than 40% of respondents report spending over two hours a day on social media or the Internet for entertainment, making it the most time-intensive form of online activity examined.In India, while more than eight in 10 respondents (83%) said they feel positive or very positive about the future, nearly half of those surveyed (47%) said they are very worried about conflict, economic insecurity and inequality.While across most regional groupings of countries, two children is the most commonly reported ideal family size, the mean number of children reported by respondents aged 35–39 is lower than the mean ideal number of children reported by respondents aged 18–39.For instance, in the case of India, women aged 18-39 reported an ideal family size of 2.1 children, compared with an average of one child among women aged 35-39. Men reported an ideal family size of 2.2 children, compared with an average of 1.1 children among men aged 35-39.Parenthood is part of the future plans of most surveyed in India. Among respondents aged 35-39 in India who do not currently have children, nearly 85% said they would ideally like to become parents.
