The average age for first marriage in Indonesia is around 25 for men and 22 for women, which is considerably younger compared to Japan. Although this represents a slight trend toward later marriages due to factors such as women’s advancement in society, it is still not uncommon for people in rural areas to marry right after high school. In urban areas among those with higher education, it is common to marry within two to three years after graduating from university.

Introduction

This article primarily focuses on the gradual trend toward later marriages in Indonesia. The traditional mindset that “marriage is more important for women than education” is slowly changing, and the rate of women advancing to higher education is increasing. The idea that both men and women should equally study, work, and earn is gradually gaining traction, particularly among the younger generations in urban areas.

Statistics: Indonesian Youth and Marriage

68.3% of Indonesian Youth Are Unmarried

According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of Indonesia, as of March 2023, 68.3% of Indonesian youth (ages 16–30) are unmarried. On the other hand, the proportion of married youth stands at 30.6%, and those who are divorced or widowed account for 1.1%.

BPS reports that the percentage of people marrying at a young age has been steadily declining over the past decade. Contributing factors include an increase in higher education enrollment, more young people focusing on employment, career advancement, self-improvement, and personal development, supported by sufficient financial means, as well as a reduction in societal pressure to marry young.

Previously, the legal age for marriage in Indonesia was 19 for men and 16 for women. However, a legal revision in 2019 standardized the minimum marriage age for both genders at 19. BPS considers this legal change to be one of the reasons for the decline in marriages among young people.

Reference: databoks “Tren Pernikahan Anak Muda Semakin Turun 6 Tahun Terakhir”

Visual Insight: Indonesian Youth and Marriage

Indonesian Youth Enjoying the Single Life

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Until recently, it was common in Indonesia for people in their 20s who remained unmarried to receive advice such as “Don’t be too picky,” “It’s hard on your aging parents if you don’t have children,” or “Stop just enjoying yourself alone.” This mindset still lingers, especially in rural areas.

However, these types of comments have become less frequent in recent years. Among young people, there seems to be a growing number who, even if meddled with by others, prefer to marry someone of their own choosing at a time they deem appropriate. For today’s youth, “not getting married yet” is a positive, proactive choice they make for themselves. They do not view remaining single until they find the right partner and timing as something to be pessimistic about.

Among such young people, some have become popular by sharing their enjoyment of the single life on social media. This video creator is one such example.

With a positive and at-your-own-pace message such as “My friends are getting married one after another, but those who haven’t yet are not being too picky or left behind—they just haven’t chosen marriage as their next step in life,” they share videos of themselves traveling and enjoying leisure activities alone.

The Rise of “Positive Divorces” in Indonesia

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In the video, a woman smiles broadly as she states, “It’s better to get divorced than to have a useless husband.” In her hand is a “Divorce Certificate” confirming the completion of her divorce proceedings.

In Indonesia, attitudes toward not only marriage but also divorce are changing.

In the past, divorce was considered shameful. Especially for women, it was common to try to maintain the marriage despite issues. There was a strong belief that sustaining the marriage was important to avoid being labeled “a failed woman” and to provide children with a home with both parents.

Recently, however, there has been a rise in cases where women themselves seek divorce, driven by growing awareness of mental health and the increasing number of financially independent women.

Videos like this, reporting the receipt of a divorce certificate, have been shared with the hashtag #aktacerai (divorce certificate), becoming a temporary trend. Maintaining an unhealthy marriage “for the sake of the children” is increasingly seen as outdated.

Changing Perspectives on Marriage and the Issue of Early and Child Marriage in Indonesia

The attitudes of Indonesians toward marriage have clearly changed. For young people with access to education and employment opportunities, marriage is no longer a top priority. Furthermore, more older generations are starting to accept the younger generation’s choices to “not marry yet” or “never marry.”

On the other hand, in rural areas, it is still common for people to marry in their teens. Values such as “the earlier you marry, the better,” “girls don’t need education,” and “being unmarried is shameful” persist.

According to Indonesia’s Religious Court, the number of marriage applications by individuals under the age of 19 has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, there were 50,747 such applications filed within a single year. While more young people now have the freedom to choose their partners and timing of marriage, there remains a social issue in Indonesia where some are still forced into early or child marriages.

Reference: Goodstats “Pernikahan Dini Masih Marak Terjadi, Tahun 2022 Capai 50.000 Kasus!”