Family is one of the most important institutions in society. Before a person encounters a school, a workplace, a government institution or the justice system, the family is often the first environment in which they learn how to live with others.
It is where children begin to understand love, discipline, responsibility, respect, cooperation, conflict resolution and the difference between right and wrong.
A society’s strength is therefore influenced, in part, by the quality of its family structures. Although families take different forms, the ability of families to provide care, guidance, stability and a sense of belonging has far-reaching implications for social development, economic productivity, public safety and national unity.
Marriage can provide a framework within which couples establish households, raise children and share responsibilities. It can also connect two extended families, creating relationships that extend beyond the couple themselves. Considering these realities, it is worthwhile to look at the statistics of marriages in Namibia and analyse what kind of society we are living in and creating going forward. According to the 2023 Population and Housing Census, approximately 69.7% of Namibia’s population aged 15 and above remains unmarried.
The 15-year age group is based on indicators that would allow analysis of child marriage and other factors. The data show that around 16% are married with certificates, whilst 5.5% are married traditionally and 4. 1 percent are in what is considered consensual unions.
For youth in Namibia, the picture is more worrying. According to the census data, those aged between 18 – 35 years old, a good 86.9% remain unmarried.
For males, this figure stands at 90%, while for women aged 18–35, it stands at 83.6%.
The recently launched census fertility report indicated that approximately 54% of women who have given birth are not married. Immediately, questions arose as to where the fathers of these children are. The statistics show that most men are not married.
If the nation wants to build a responsible society, it should try to understand why such a large share of men aged 18 to 35 are not married. Is there something we are missing? Is there something we are doing wrong? What kind of society are we building? Would it not be better for all involved if young men and women could get married much earlier to build stable families, which can lead to stable homes and stronger societies?
One of the statistics that are of concern is the boy child who seems no longer able, and hence willing, to get married. The educational attainment of boys lags far behind girls nowadays, and so do the socio-economic statistics increasingly as well. It is also statistically proven that more men find themselves on the wrong side of the law and are the majority in correctional facilities.
All in all, the statistics show that Namibia is headed to a society where the majority of its eligible citizens do not get married, where children are often raised by single parents, and where young men stay away from marriage altogether. These statistics might be overlooked now and considered insignificant, but if we want to build a stable and respectable society, we should introspect and find a way to encourage more marriages, as the statistics are really low.
For more statistics, especially on marriages, do not hesitate to contact the NSA or look up its reports, which are available online at www.nsa.org.na. They are available for free.
*Iipumbu Sakaria is the Manager of Corporate Communication at the NSA.
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