Kazakhstanis Are Getting Married Less Often

Kazakhstan’s marriage rate fell to 5.62 in 2025, the lowest level recorded since the country gained independence. According to preliminary statistics, the indicator dropped by 0.51 points over the year and fell below the previous low set in 1999, when it stood at 5.8, Orda.kz reports

A total of 114,500 marriages were registered in 2025. That is 7% fewer than in 2024 and the lowest figure in the past 22 years. Kazakhstan’s population continues to grow, but the number of new marriages is declining.

Since 1991, the marriage rate has seen two peaks: in 1991 (10.1) and in 2013 (9.89). After the 2013 high, the indicator has steadily decreased. Over 12 years, it has fallen by 4.27 points.

«By itself, a decline in the rate does not always mean less interest in marriage. This is a relative indicator that depends not only on the number of registered marriages, but also on the size of the population. Since 2014, the number of people aged 18 to 39 has been decreasing—this group accounts for more than 85% of all marriages. In 2023 and 2024, that cohort began to grow, but it was not enough to reverse the overall trend. Data for 2025 is not yet available,» experts explained 

In addition, over the past decade, the average age at first marriage has increased from 27.1 to 27.9 years. This also affects the statistics, as does the growing number of unregistered partnerships, including civil and religious unions, which are not reflected in official state reporting.

Original Author: Elvira Ivannikova