Delayed Marriage and Shifting Attitudes Toward Marriage Among Emirati Youth in Dubai

Published date: Jan 28 2026

Journal Title: Gulf Education and Social Policy Review

Issue title: Gulf Education and Social Policy Review (GESPR): Volume 6, Issue 3

Pages: 345 - 386

DOI: 10.18502/gespr.v6i3.18758

Hessa Abdulla Al Mazroueihaa8262@nyu.eduNew York University Abu Dhabi

With the rising age at first marriage and declining fertility rates among Emirati citizens, the UAE government has introduced several initiatives to encourage earlier marriage and family formation. This study investigates the factors contributing to delayed marriage among Emirati youth in Dubai, as well as their perceptions of existing family support policies. Drawing on 17 semi-structured interviews with both youth and older-generation participants, the study finds that financial barriers—particularly the high costs of marriage and securing independent housing—are the most significant contributors to marriage delay among men. Shifting cultural values, including the deprioritization of marriage, the rising importance of educational attainment, and evolving fertility intentions toward smaller, later-starting families, also strongly influenced marriage timing and family planning. For women, additional factors such as societal pressure to meet idealized marriage standards, educational attainment, and the desire for financial stability before starting a family also play a crucial role in delaying marriage. While government initiatives such as the Marriage Fund and the Dubai Weddings Program were viewed positively in principle, participants reported that these programs often fell short in practice due to limited financial sufficiency, weak cultural acceptance, and a lack of clear communication and awareness. These findings suggest that future policy efforts must simultaneously address both financial barriers and broader cultural expectations surrounding marriage to more effectively promote stable Emirati family formation.

Keywords: Delays in marriage age, Emirati youth, Fertility intentions, Declining fertility rates, Delayed childbearing, Attitudes toward marriage, Family policies

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