Iran Family Crisis: 9 in 10 poll respondents reject marriage and children

More than 12,000 people commented on the poll, with financial pressure, housing costs, job insecurity and concerns about the future emerging as major reasons for delaying or rejecting marriage and parenthood.

Many respondents said the rising cost of living had made starting a family increasingly difficult. Some said they struggled to meet their own expenses and could not imagine financially supporting a spouse or child.

Iran has faced prolonged inflation and a sharp decline in the value of its currency. These pressures have reduced household purchasing power and made housing and other basic necessities harder to afford.

International sanctions and domestic government policies have added to the economic strain, although the extent of their impact remains a subject of political debate.

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Marriage seen as a high-risk choice

Economic concerns were not the only factor influencing respondents. Some participants referred to personal experiences of divorce and unsuccessful marriages, describing marriage under current conditions as a high-risk decision.

Others said they were already married but had decided against having children because of economic and social uncertainty.

Mistrust and difficulties in finding suitable partners also appeared among the responses, although a smaller group expressed support for marriage and parenthood.

Concerns over children’s future

Many respondents focused on the future children would face in Iran. They cited poverty, inflation, electricity shortages, insecurity and uncertainty about living conditions.

Some used particularly strong language to explain their reluctance to have children, arguing that parents cannot guarantee their children a secure future or an adequate quality of life.

Environmental concerns add to uncertainty

Iran also faces serious environmental challenges, including air pollution, groundwater depletion, forest fires and broader ecosystem degradation.

These problems have added another layer of concern for people considering whether to raise children in the country.

Political and social pressures

Some respondents directly linked their decisions about marriage and parenthood to Iran’s political and social conditions. Years of economic hardship, protests, political tensions and restrictions on social freedoms have contributed to wider uncertainty about the country’s future.

For some participants, decisions about marriage and children have therefore become part of a broader question about whether they believe a stable future remains possible in Iran.

Who participated in the poll?

Men accounted for 68% of respondents, while women made up 32%.

People aged 25 to 34 formed the largest group at 40.3%, followed by those aged 35 to 44 at 29.2%.

Respondents aged 18 to 24 accounted for 13.3%, while those aged 45 to 54 represented 9.8%.

More than 12,000 comments accompanied the poll, offering further explanations for the responses.

The results suggest that the debate goes beyond the affordability of marriage or raising children. For many respondents, economic hardship, social uncertainty, political tensions and environmental concerns are shaping their decisions about family life and the future.