Majority of Gen Z Filipinos who plan to marry prefer to wed after 35
MANILA, Philippines – Fewer couples in the Philippines are tying the knot as marriage rates continue to decline, according to government data. Meanwhile, many young Filipinos are in no rush to marry — a recent survey found that among Generation Z respondents who do plan to wed, most intend to wait until after age 35.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, 414,213 marriages were recorded in 2023, a 7.8% drop from 449,428 in 2022. This downturn brought the crude marriage rate (marriages per 1,000 people) down from 4.0 to 3.7.
A separate survey by Arkipelago Analytics, focusing on Gen Z Filipinos (born mid-1990s to early 2010s), found that only 40% of respondents said they want to get married someday. Of those who do, 60% prefer to do so after age 35 — well beyond the typical marrying age of earlier generations.
The survey also found that a majority of Gen Z feel little pressure to marry: 55% of respondents reported no compulsion to tie the knot. For those open to marriage, most pointed to emotional factors — love, trust, and long-term companionship — as their main motivations. Far fewer cited raising children, religious obligations, or financial and legal stability as primary reasons to wed.
“The findings indicate that Gen Z Filipinos are approaching marriage with greater intentionality,” said Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, founder of Arkipelago Analytics. “Rather than following traditional timelines, many are prioritizing emotional readiness, personal goals, and long-term compatibility.”
Regionally, CALABARZON had the most weddings in 2023, accounting for 14.6% of the total, followed by the National Capital Region (12.5%) and Central Luzon (11.5%). By contrast, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) had the fewest marriages at just 0.5% of the total. February was the most popular month for weddings.
While marriage remains a significant institution in the Philippines, analysts note that it is increasingly seen as a personal choice rather than a default life path — particularly among younger generations.
