ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
Advocates Philippines
Gen Z Filipinos Are Changing The Marriage Game-Here's How
FILE
Marriage in the Philippines isn’t what it used to be—and Gen Z is at the heart of this quiet transformation.
Newly released government data shows that registered marriages dropped by 7.8 percent in 2023, with only 414,213 couples tying the knot compared to 449,428 in 2022. The crude marriage rate (CMR) also dipped from 4.0 to 3.7 marriages per 1,000 people. But these numbers tell a bigger story: young Filipinos are rethinking the traditional expectations around marriage and commitment.
A recent survey found that only 40 percent of Gen Z Filipinos even want to get married someday. And for those who do, a whopping 60 percent say they’d rather wait until after 35—a far cry from the early-to-mid-20s norm of past generations.
Why the Shift?
According to Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, Founder of Arkipelago Analytics, this generation is approaching marriage with much more intentionality. “Rather than following traditional timelines, many are prioritizing emotional readiness, personal goals, and long-term compatibility,” she explained.
Simply put, Gen Z isn’t in a rush. Older generations may have seen marriage as a natural milestone in their 20s, but younger Filipinos are treating it as a serious, long-term commitment—something to be pursued on their own terms, not because of societal expectations.
No More Pressure, Just Personal Choice
More than half (55 percent) of Gen Z respondents say they don’t feel pressured to get married at all. Instead, their reasons for considering marriage are deeply personal:
• Love and trust came out on top as the main motivations.
• Many see marriage as finding a lifelong teammate rather than just building a home or having kids.
• Fewer young Filipinos are marrying for religious reasons or financial/legal stability.
In other words, the focus has shifted from obligation to genuine connection.
Where and When Are Filipinos Getting Married?
Despite the decline in marriage rates, some regions remain wedding hotspots. CALABARZON (14.6%), Metro Manila (12.5%), and Central Luzon (11.5%) had the highest number of weddings in 2023, reflecting their dense populations and urban lifestyles.
Meanwhile, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) recorded the lowest number of marriages, making up just 0.5% of the total.
And if you’re wondering when most couples say “I do,” February still reigns as the most popular wedding month—likely thanks to the romantic pull of Valentine’s Day.
Marriage Is Changing—Not Disappearing
While marriage is far from dead in the Philippines, Gen Z is proving that it’s no longer a default life path. Instead, young Filipinos are bringing a more thoughtful, emotionally intelligent approach to commitment.
The next generation of marriages won’t be defined by pressure, tradition, or timelines—but by mutual trust, autonomy, and timing that actually feels right.
And honestly? That might just be the best thing to happen to marriage in a long time.
Newly released government data shows that registered marriages dropped by 7.8 percent in 2023, with only 414,213 couples tying the knot compared to 449,428 in 2022. The crude marriage rate (CMR) also dipped from 4.0 to 3.7 marriages per 1,000 people. But these numbers tell a bigger story: young Filipinos are rethinking the traditional expectations around marriage and commitment.
A recent survey found that only 40 percent of Gen Z Filipinos even want to get married someday. And for those who do, a whopping 60 percent say they’d rather wait until after 35—a far cry from the early-to-mid-20s norm of past generations.
Why the Shift?
According to Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, Founder of Arkipelago Analytics, this generation is approaching marriage with much more intentionality. “Rather than following traditional timelines, many are prioritizing emotional readiness, personal goals, and long-term compatibility,” she explained.
Simply put, Gen Z isn’t in a rush. Older generations may have seen marriage as a natural milestone in their 20s, but younger Filipinos are treating it as a serious, long-term commitment—something to be pursued on their own terms, not because of societal expectations.
No More Pressure, Just Personal Choice
More than half (55 percent) of Gen Z respondents say they don’t feel pressured to get married at all. Instead, their reasons for considering marriage are deeply personal:
• Love and trust came out on top as the main motivations.
• Many see marriage as finding a lifelong teammate rather than just building a home or having kids.
• Fewer young Filipinos are marrying for religious reasons or financial/legal stability.
In other words, the focus has shifted from obligation to genuine connection.
Where and When Are Filipinos Getting Married?
Despite the decline in marriage rates, some regions remain wedding hotspots. CALABARZON (14.6%), Metro Manila (12.5%), and Central Luzon (11.5%) had the highest number of weddings in 2023, reflecting their dense populations and urban lifestyles.
Meanwhile, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) recorded the lowest number of marriages, making up just 0.5% of the total.
And if you’re wondering when most couples say “I do,” February still reigns as the most popular wedding month—likely thanks to the romantic pull of Valentine’s Day.
Marriage Is Changing—Not Disappearing
While marriage is far from dead in the Philippines, Gen Z is proving that it’s no longer a default life path. Instead, young Filipinos are bringing a more thoughtful, emotionally intelligent approach to commitment.
The next generation of marriages won’t be defined by pressure, tradition, or timelines—but by mutual trust, autonomy, and timing that actually feels right.
And honestly? That might just be the best thing to happen to marriage in a long time.
Apr 1, 2025
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