Rising unemployment delaying marriages among youth in valley

By Idrees Bukhtiyar
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11 Apr 2026

• Financial instability, high wedding costs major hurdles • Average wedding expenses between Rs 30-40 lakh • J&K unemployment rate at 6.7% against national average of 3.5%

Srinagar, Apr 10: Rising unemployment in Kashmir is increasingly delaying marriages, with many young men and women citing financial instability and high wedding expenses as major hurdles.

Several youths said that the lack of stable jobs has made it difficult for them to consider marriage, as they are unable to meet the growing costs associated with traditional ceremonies.

“I have been engaged for the past two years, but we have not fixed a wedding date yet because I am still unemployed,” said Aamir (name changed), a resident of north Kashmir.

Another youth, Sana (name changed), said that uncertainty about the future has made families hesitant to proceed with marriage plans. “Our parents want us to settle down, but without a proper income, it becomes stressful. Everything is expensive now,” she said.

Many respondents pointed out that previous generations benefited from stable government jobs, which made it easier to arrange marriages. “Our fathers had government jobs, and that gave them financial security. Today, even if someone is employed, the salary is too low to manage the expenses of a wedding,” said Faisal (name changed) from Srinagar.

Locals said that the cost of weddings in Kashmir has risen significantly, with average ceremonies costing between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 40 lakh, including expenditure on gold, which has also become increasingly expensive. In some affluent families, particularly those of retired officials and business owners, wedding expenses can exceed Rs 1 crore.

“We are not against simple weddings, but societal expectations make it difficult. People want grand celebrations, and that puts pressure on families,” said a postgraduate student from Kashmir University.

The issue has also been mentioned in the legislative assembly. Rafiq Ahmad Naik recently raised concerns over declining marriage rates due to unemployment in the region.

According to official data presented in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in February this year, the Union Territory’s unemployment rate stands at 6.7 per cent, significantly higher than the national average of 3.5 per cent.

Reportedly, a study conducted by the Department of Sociology at Kashmir University shows that the percentage of the unmarried population in the Union Territory stands at 55 per cent, higher than the national average of 49.5 per cent.

Another report indicates that around 2.5 lakh youth in Kashmir are grappling with unemployment. Many well-educated youths are distressed, alleging government indifference to their concerns. They also point to a lack of adequate job opportunities for those seeking employment.

Experts believe that unless employment opportunities improve and social norms around extravagant weddings are reconsidered, the trend of delayed marriages is likely to persist.