Islamabad: New analysis from Pakistan's Census 2023 data suggests that a sizeable number of Pakistanis are delaying marriage well beyond traditionally expected ages, particularly in urban areas. Analysis from Gallup Pakistan Digital Analytics' Census Dashboard shows that approximately 2 million Pakistanis aged 35 years and above have never married, representing 3.14% of the country's 35+ population.
The data reveals a strong urban pattern. Among the provinces and regions shown in the dashboard, urban Islamabad reports the highest share of never-married adults at 5.09%, compared to 2.85% in rural
Islamabad. Similarly, urban Balochistan records 4.02%, substantially higher than surrounding rural areas, while urban Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands at 3.86% versus 2.69% in rural KP. Sindh and Punjab also show higher urban shares relative to rural areas, reinforcing a broader national trend: never-married adults aged 35+ are disproportionately concentrated in urban Pakistan.
The age and gender profile is equally striking. Across nearly all age groups shown in the dashboard, males substantially outnumber females among the never-married population, especially between the ages of 35-49. The trend declines steadily after age 50, suggesting that while many Pakistanis eventually marry, a growing segment is marrying later than in previous generations.
The findings may reflect multiple structural shifts underway simultaneously: rising education levels, delayed economic stability, changing urban lifestyles, migration patterns, and evolving social
expectations around marriage. The data also points toward an emerging market reality. As Pakistan's rishta culture increasingly moves online, the country appears to have a sizeable, urban-skewed, digitally reachable population segment that remains underserved by existing matrimonial platforms and services.
This analysis was conducted and released by Gallup and Gilani Pakistan, the Pakistani affiliate of Gallup International. It draws on demographic and marital status indicators from the Pakistan Population Census
2023, compiled through Gallup Pakistan Digital Analytics' Census Dashboard.
Gilani Research Foundation is headed by Dr. Ijaz Shafi Gilani who pioneered the field of opinion polling in Pakistan and established Gallup Pakistan in 1980. Currently, Dr. Gilani, who holds a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has taught at leading universities in Pakistan and abroad, is Chairman of Gallup Pakistan.
Gallup Pakistan is not related to Gallup Inc. headquartered in Washington D.C. USA. We require that our surveys be credited fully as Gallup Pakistan (not Gallup or Gallup Poll). We disclaim any responsibility for surveys pertaining to Pakistani public opinion except those carried out by Gallup Pakistan, the Pakistani affiliate of Gallup International Association.