Manila: Fewer Filipinos are choosing to marry as economic pressures, shifting priorities, and changing social attitudes continue to redefine traditional family structures in the country, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) said Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, CPD Information Management and Communications Division Chief Mylin Mirasol Quiray stated in an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon that data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed a 10.2 percent drop in registered marriages in 2024, reflecting a pattern observed over the past decades.
She explained that many Filipinos now prioritize financial stability and personal goals before entering formal unions. Quiray noted, "Many Filipinos today prioritize their economic well-being before getting married." CPD studies also reveal that cohabitation is increasingly viewed as a practical next step in committed relationships. Some couples choose to live together after pregnancy, while others avoid marriage due to perceived high costs and numerous requirements. Quiray mentioned that civil weddings are affordable, but the added "frills" create the impression that marriage must come with costly celebrations.
Negative narratives about marriage, often seen on social media, also discourage younger Filipinos. Quiray pointed out, "They are discouraged by what they see on social media about marital difficulties and separations." The 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey shows that the share of unmarried but cohabiting Filipinos increased from 5 percent in 1993 to 19 percent in 2022. Out-of-wedlock births have also become more common, with more than 840,000 births recorded outside formal unions compared to about 640,000 births within marriage.
Despite the downward trend, cultural traditions still play a role, as PSA data indicate that February, June, and December remain the most popular months for weddings. Quiray explained, "February because of Valentine's Day, June for the 'June bride' tradition, and December because people have more resources." However, she stressed the need to protect women and children in cohabitation arrangements, noting that fewer marriages contribute to demographic shifts, such as delayed childbearing, declining fertility, and the country's slower population growth rate of 0.80 percent, now below replacement level.
Many young Filipinos now prioritize careers or even prefer pets over children, as Quiray observed. The CPD urged Filipinos to make informed decisions about relationships and family planning as family norms evolve. Quiray encouraged the public to access CPD's platforms, such as malayaako.ph, for guidance and emphasized that supporting education, health, employment, and skills development will help Filipino families, regardless of structure, thrive.
