Marriage Delay Survey

Field Dates: March – April 2013

Number of interviews: 2039                                                                                                               

Universe: Qatar

Sample: Qatari nationals

Mode: Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) technology

Abstract

Available data show that Qatari nationals, especially women are marrying late and that a significant proportion of them are remaining permanently single. Given the small size of the Qatari national population and the potential long-term impact of current marriage patterns on fertility and social stability, the government of Qatar expressed concern about the current marriage patterns. The study focused on Qatari nationals living in Qatar and examined the timing of the first marriage for both men and women in order to understand the causes and consequences of the delayed marriage phenomenon (marrying at an older age or non-marriage) in Qatari society. In fact, a rising age at marriage has several social and demographic consequences for a society, and it is therefore an important policy issue. The outcomes of this study can be used by policy makers working on social policies to address the consequences of delayed marriage in Qatari society.

If you have any questions about SESRI datasets or their use, please contact us by email to: sesri@qu.edu.qa