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

Hessa Abdulla Al Mazrouei

Article Details

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

Authors:

Hessa Abdulla Al Mazrouei

Publisher:

KnE Social Sciences

Journal:

Gulf Education and Social Policy Review Vol.6 Issue 3, pp.345-386

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001527827

pISSN:

2709-0191

Keywords:

Abstract:

 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.

Article Details

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

Authors:

Hessa Abdulla Al Mazrouei

Publisher:

KnE Social Sciences

Journal:

Gulf Education and Social Policy Review Vol.6 Issue 3, pp.345-386

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001527827

pISSN:

2709-0191

Delays in marriage age

Emirati youth

Fertility intentions

Declining fertility rates

Delayed childbearing

Attitudes toward marriage

Family policies

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Hessa Abdulla Al Mazrouei

Publisher: KnE Social Sciences

Journal: Gulf Education and Social Policy Review Vol.6 Issue 3, pp.345-386

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 1/2026

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001527827

pISSN: 2709-0191

Issues

Authors:

Hessa Abdulla Al Mazrouei

Publisher:

KnE Social Sciences

Journal:

Gulf Education and Social Policy Review Vol.6 Issue 3, pp.345-386

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001527827

pISSN:

2709-0191