Lifestyle | By Wynona M | The WFY Magazine | September 2025 Edition
A Lifestyle Shift With Demographic Consequences
In India today, the idea of marriage and family life is undergoing a profound change. What once seemed like a fixed social timeline; marrying in the early twenties and raising two or three children; is no longer the universal pattern. A growing number of young Indians, especially in cities, are choosing to marry later in life. That decision, combined with greater focus on careers, education, and financial security, is reshaping how many children families have. As a result, India’s fertility rate has now dipped below the replacement level of 2.1, a turning point with far-reaching implications.
Marrying Later: The Emerging Norm
Government figures reveal that the average age of marriage among Indian women has steadily increased over the past few years. According to the Sample Registration Survey (SRS) 2023, the mean age of marriage for women rose from 22.1 years in 2019 to 22.9 years in 2023.
This increase, though seemingly small, is significant in a country of India’s size. It marks a steady trend towards postponing marriage. Yet, the divide between urban and rural India remains clear. In urban areas, women now marry at an average of 24.3 years, while in rural India, the age is lower at 22.4 years. This near two-year gap has persisted for the past five years, underlining how education, employment opportunities, and cultural expectations differ across regions.
State-level contrasts are equally striking. In places such as Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Haryana, more than 85 per cent of women now marry at 21 or later. On the other hand, in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the average age remains lower, although it is still creeping upwards compared to previous decades.
Why Marriage Age Matters
The timing of marriage has a direct bearing on family size. Marrying later compresses the years available for childbearing, often resulting in fewer children. Women who marry after 23 or 24 usually prioritise careers and education in their twenties and are more selective in planning families.
Urban women, in particular, often focus on achieving stability before considering children. This delay reduces the number of years left for childbearing and contributes to smaller families. The cultural narrative has shifted: rather than being defined by early marriage and motherhood, many young women and men now see marriage as one part of a longer personal journey.
Fertility Rates Are Declining
The result of these changing social patterns is visible in India’s fertility data. The country’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR), which measures the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, stood at 1.9 in 2023, down from 2.1 in 2019. This marks the first time India has fallen consistently below the replacement threshold.
Urban fertility has fallen much faster than rural fertility. In cities, the TFR is now just 1.5, compared with 2.1 in villages. States with higher marriage ages and better education levels for women such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi; report fertility well below replacement level. In contrast, states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh continue to record higher fertility, though even here the numbers are trending downwards year by year.
The Role of Education
Education remains one of the strongest factors shaping fertility. National data for 2023 show that illiterate mothers had an average of 3.3 children, compared with 1.8 for literate mothers. The contrast is particularly sharp in rural areas: illiterate women there recorded a fertility rate of 3.5, while educated women averaged only 2.0.
In urban India, fertility is lower across the board, but the divide still holds: 2.5 for illiterate mothers versus 1.5 for educated mothers. These figures underline the role education plays in family planning, financial independence, and awareness of healthcare.
Smaller Families as the New Normal
The cultural idea of the “big Indian family” with three or more children is slowly giving way to smaller, nuclear households. In urban India, many couples now stop at one child, citing financial pressures, lifestyle choices, and career priorities. Even in rural areas, where extended families are common, the average is narrowing towards two children.
This shift is also influenced by the rising cost of living, urban housing constraints, and the increasing expense of education. Raising multiple children is no longer considered viable by many middle-class families, who prefer to invest more resources in fewer children.
State-Level Stories
Looking closer at the states reveals how diverse India’s demographic transitions really are.
- Bihar and Uttar Pradesh: Still record some of the highest fertility rates, often above 3 children for illiterate women. Marriage ages remain lower here compared to the national average.
- Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan: Show similar patterns, though with gradual improvement in marriage age and fertility decline.
- Kerala and Tamil Nadu: Have consistently low fertility, now close to 1.6–1.7, driven by higher female literacy and late marriages.
- Delhi and Punjab: Educated urban women here average fewer than 1.5 children, highlighting how fertility in cities has fallen to European levels.
These variations make India a patchwork of demographic stages some states still reflecting earlier trends of high fertility, while others are moving into low-growth or even negative growth territory.
The Bigger Picture
For India as a whole, the shift towards later marriages and smaller families has both opportunities and challenges. On the positive side, lower fertility reduces pressure on resources, infrastructure, and the environment. It can also allow families to focus more on health, education, and career growth.
However, there are long-term risks. A sustained fertility rate below replacement level will eventually slow population growth and create an ageing society. Countries such as Japan and Italy already face challenges of shrinking workforces and rising dependency ratios. India, which was once seen as a “young country” with a demographic dividend, may find that dividend narrowing sooner than expected.
Why It Matters
This shift towards later marriages and smaller families is more than just a social trend. It will reshape India’s future in many ways:
- Population dynamics: With fertility dipping below replacement, India will see slower population growth, and in the long run, even decline.
- Economic consequences: Smaller families mean fewer dependents per household, potentially allowing higher spending on education, healthcare, and lifestyle.
- Social change: As young Indians choose education and careers before family life, marriage itself is being redefined as a partnership of equals rather than just a social compulsion.
The Road Ahead
Policymakers need to carefully balance these demographic shifts. Supporting young couples with affordable childcare, flexible work arrangements, and housing policies can help them feel more secure about having children. At the same time, investing in women’s education and healthcare remains crucial, as these are the most powerful drivers of positive change.
The story of late marriages and smaller families is not just about numbers. It reflects the changing aspirations of India’s youth to study longer, work more, and make thoughtful choices about marriage and family. It is a lifestyle shift that will shape not just the population curve, but also the social and cultural identity of the nation.
Marriage has always been one of India’s most deeply rooted institutions. Today, its role is shifting quietly but powerfully. Later weddings, fewer children, and conscious family planning are reshaping not just households but the nation’s demographic future.
This is India’s new lifestyle story; one where aspirations, education, and empowerment redefine age-old traditions.
© The WFY Magazine | Wynona M: The WFY Bureau Desk
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is based on data available from government and international demographic sources. It does not offer legal, medical, or financial advice. Readers are encouraged to consult subject experts for specific guidance.