Economic pressures push youth to delay family plans

Delayed marriage and childbearing among young people should be understood as responses to current economic and social conditions rather than a rejection of family life, Professor of Demography at the University of Colombo and President of the Population Association of Sri Lanka, Manori Kaluthantiri Weeratunga said.

Writing ahead of World Population Day 2026, Professor Manori Kaluthantiri Weeratunga noted that Sri Lanka undergoes significant demographic changes, including declining fertility, population ageing, increased youth migration, and changing family patterns.

Young people navigate a rapidly changing social and economic environment, where rising living costs, employment uncertainty, limited access to affordable housing, and career pressures influence decisions on marriage and starting families.

Many young people today seek financial stability, secure employment, career growth, and personal fulfilment before entering marriage or parenthood. Professor Manori Kaluthantiri Weeratunga stated that these aspirations reflect wider global social and economic changes, rather than being unrealistic or unique to Sri Lanka.

Declining fertility trends should be examined through comprehensive demographic evidence rather than being viewed as an immediate crisis.

Fertility patterns are shaped by multiple factors, including increased educational opportunities, the participation of women in the workforce, migration, delayed marriage, and evolving family preferences.

Policies must create an enabling environment for young people through quality education, decent employment opportunities, affordable housing, accessible healthcare, and family-friendly workplaces.

Professor Manori Kaluthantiri Weeratunga concluded that supporting young people to achieve their aspirations represents both a social responsibility and an investment in the future of Sri Lanka.