Ahmedabad: For many women in Gujarat, marriage is no longer an immediate life goal. While many are pressing pause on marriage, an increasing number are choosing to remain single, reveals govt data. Higher education, financial independence and changing career aspirations are steadily reshaping long-held social expectations around when, or even whether, women should get married.Data from the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2024 shows that the share of never-married women aged 15 years and above in Gujarat rose from 18.2% in 2014 to 27.8% in 2024, an increase of nearly 10 percentage points in a decade.The trend stands in sharp contrast to the state’s working-age female population, which grew only marginally during the same period, from 64.9% to 66%, suggesting that the rise in never-married women is driven more by changing social choices than demographic shifts.Experts say the figures reflect a broader transition fuelled by urbanisation and expanding employment opportunities, gradually altering traditional timelines for marriage and starting a family.The report also highlights the close link between education and changing family patterns. Across India, fertility among women with graduate-level education and above has fallen well below the replacement level, reflecting delayed marriage and smaller family sizes.
Women in Gujarat defer marriages
“The age at marriage has clearly increased, and education is one of the biggest reasons behind this change. Girls’ enrolment in colleges across Gujarat has risen significantly across humanities, commerce and science streams. As more women pursue higher education, marriage naturally gets postponed,” said Dr Leela Visaria, honorary professor at Gujarat Institute of Development Research (GIDR).She said education has also strengthened women’s ability to make decisions. “Women today are financially more independent and far more selective about whom they marry. They are comfortable waiting for the right partner instead of marrying early simply because of social expectations.”Sociologists say the shift is especially visible in Gujarat’s cities, where women are increasingly prioritising careers, financial stability and personal independence before marriage.“In urban areas, work has become an important source of identity for many women,” said sociologist Gaurang Jani from Ahmedabad. “Financial independence has changed how they approach marriage. More women are entering private-sector jobs and newer professions that demand long or irregular working hours. Many have also seen friends or relatives compromise on careers and independence after marriage, making them more cautious before taking that step.”Across India, the proportion of never-married women aged 15 years and above stood at 28.2% in 2024, only marginally higher than Gujarat’s 27.8%, suggesting that the state is witnessing a social transition typically seen across economically advancing regions.Jani said cities are gradually becoming more accepting of women choosing to remain single. “Marriage is no longer viewed as inevitable, particularly in urban areas. Society and workplaces have become more accepting of women delaying marriage or choosing not to marry at all.”Traditionally, marriage has occupied a central place in Gujarat’s family and community life. However, experts say the latest demographic indicators suggest that while marriage continues to be socially important, the age at which women marry, and the expectations surrounding it, are steadily changing.Dr Visaria said greater acceptance of women remaining unmarried for longer periods is also becoming visible. “We are also seeing divorced women increasingly choosing to stay single. Education, awareness and financial independence are changing how women view marriage, relationships and personal choice,” she said.
