A study by Mwelekeo Insights has revealed changing attitudes among women aged 30 and below in Nairobi regarding marriage. The research explored how young women perceive marriage in today’s society, with a focus on their values, life goals, and personal experiences. According to the findings, many young women in Nairobi no longer see marriage as a top priority. Instead, they are influenced by personal freedom, career ambitions, and financial independence.
The study aimed to understand what factors are shaping their views, and how these views have evolved over time.
One of the key findings from Mwelekeo Insights was that only 29% of respondents considered marriage to be an essential life goal.
In contrast, 53% stated that marriage is not a priority for them, while 18% were unsure. This shows a big shift from traditional views where marriage was often seen as a key milestone in a woman’s life.
When asked about the main reasons for deprioritizing marriage, 52% of the women pointed to financial independence, 31% to career goals, and 17% said they valued personal freedom. These women believe that building a stable financial future and growing professionally are more important than settling down early.
The research also looked at how marriage is perceived in relation to personal freedom. A majority, 60%, said they believe marriage would negatively affect their freedom. Only 15% saw it as a positive step, while 25% remained neutral.
This suggests that many young women associate marriage with possible restrictions or obligations that could limit their independence. The idea of giving up personal control or space to fulfill marital responsibilities is seen as a major concern.
This is especially true for women who are already enjoying autonomy in their careers or daily lives. Despite this, societal pressure to marry still exists. About 50% of the participants said they feel pressure from family or community expectations to get married. However, the other half did not feel such pressure, pointing to a gradual decline in traditional norms.
Women from conservative or religious backgrounds were more likely to report feeling pushed toward marriage, even when it wasn’t a personal priority.
When it comes to polygamy, a surprising 51% of the respondents expressed willingness to enter polygamous unions if it would improve their lives financially.
This shows that for some women, economic security is a stronger influence than traditional ideals of monogamy. It also reflects the reality that economic survival is a key concern for many young people, and some are open to different family structures if it means better living conditions.
The study also found that views on marriage have changed over time for many of the participants. About 56% of the women said their opinion on marriage had shifted, with 31% reporting a more negative outlook and only 13% noting a more positive one. This evolution in attitude reflects changes in society, such as greater access to education, growing career opportunities for women, and rising awareness of gender equality.
When asked about the ideal age for marriage, 30% of those considering it said they would prefer to marry before the age of 30, while 45% were comfortable marrying after 30.
This indicates a move toward delaying marriage in order to pursue other goals first. In general, the research paints a clear picture of a generation that is more focused on self-growth and financial stability than on following traditional timelines for marriage.
The study by Mwelekeo Insights helps to understand how the priorities of young Nairobi women are shifting, and how marriage fits into their life plans today.
For the full details you can check out on their website: https://mwelekeo.com/report/attitudes-of-women-aged-30-and-below-toward-marriage.
You can also reach them on Facebook @Mwelekeo Insights, X @MwelekeoKe, Instagram @MwelekeoKe, Linkedin @MwelekeoKe and YouTube @MwelekeoKe.
