Why Young Singaporeans Are Delaying Marriage: Rising Costs, Career Goals, and Changing Priorities
Despite government incentives, more Singaporeans in their 30s are choosing to delay marriage and starting a family: prioritising financial stability, career progression, and personal freedom over traditional timelines.
The cost of living in Singapore is soaring, career paths are more competitive than ever, and societal views on relationships are shifting. For many young Singaporeans, marriage is no longer seen as a necessary milestone in adulthood. It's a choice, and increasingly, one they’re choosing to delay.
Alwyin Constantine, 32, is in a committed relationship but has no immediate plans for marriage. “I’m not against it,” he says. “We’d only recently got together, but I’d rather save up before committing for life.” His sentiment reflects a growing trend in Singapore: younger adults putting off marriage in favour of financial and career stability.
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According to the Department of Statistics Singapore, the proportion of single residents aged 30 to 39 has more than doubled from 13.3% in 1980 to 29.6% in 2023.
Alwyin’s decision is driven by more than just timing. “I want to be financially secure before even thinking about marriage,” he shares. With rising costs of living, he says his priority now is career advancement. “I’ve worked hard to get where I am, and I’m aiming for the next promotion. Starting a family just isn’t on the cards right now.”
This outlook is common among many in his generation. Young Singaporeans face a unique combination of financial strain and social expectations, including skyrocketing housing prices, inflation, and the responsibility of supporting elderly parents. These challenges shape a cautious and pragmatic approach to life milestones.
A 2024 study by the National Youth Council and the Institute of Policy Studies found that Singaporeans aged 21 to 39 place greater emphasis on career progression and financial independence than on marriage or parenthood. The same report noted that financial readiness is increasingly seen as a prerequisite for starting a family, not just an ideal.
The traditional timeline: Graduate, get a job, get married, buy a flat, have children. This is no longer the default. Alwyin notes, “There’s a lot of pressure to meet someone, get married soon after, and immediately start trying for kids. But I’m okay taking my time. I would rather do it when I’m stable, not just because I’m ‘supposed to.’”
The Singapore government has rolled out measures like housing grants, tax reliefs, and the Baby Bonus scheme to encourage marriage and child-rearing. But these incentives don’t always tip the scales.
“It’s nice that support is there,” says Alwyin, “but if I’m still fresh into my relationship, enjoying quality time with my friends, I’m not thinking about starting a family yet.”
This cautious but deliberate approach is echoed by others. A recent TODAY Youth Survey found that while many young Singaporeans still aspire to marry and raise children, concerns about financial burdens, job security, and mental well-being often delay those plans.
For Alwyin, delaying marriage isn’t about rejecting tradition, it's about prioritising stability, and building a life on his own terms.
Relevant sources:
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/more-young-people-in-singapore-staying-single?
https://www.singstat.gov.sg/find-data/search-by-theme/population/marriages-and-divorces/latest-data
https://www.babybonus.msf.gov.sg/
https://youthopia.sg/read/why-are-gen-zs-choosing-to-stay-single-longer/
https://www.strategygroup.gov.sg/media-centre/publications/singapore-population-in-brief-2023/