The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has said that economic hardship and housing challenges are among the major reasons many young Nigerians remain single despite their desire to marry and start families.
Speaking during the commemoration of the 2026 World Population Day, the UNFPA Resident Representative in Nigeria, Muriel Mafiko, said findings from a survey conducted by the agency revealed that most Nigerian youths aspire to marry and have children but are constrained by economic realities.
According to Mafiko, unemployment and underemployment, rising living and housing costs, insecurity, and unequal access to quality education and healthcare—including sexual and reproductive health services—have made it difficult for many young people to plan confidently for the future.
“It is easy for us to assume that younger generations have given up on marriage and children altogether, but our survey tells a different story,” she said.
“Most respondents say their ideal relationship involves marriage, yet among those who want a partner, many are single, with economic and housing constraints being the most commonly cited barriers.”
She added that while many respondents expressed a desire to have children, with two being the preferred family size across many regions, concerns about financial stability, housing and the ability to provide for a family have created uncertainty.
“In short, it is uncertainty, not unwillingness, that has young people question whether they can start the families they want,” Mafiko said.
She stressed that governments have a responsibility to create an environment that enables young people to make informed life choices by investing in policies that protect their rights and expand access to healthcare, childcare support, family-friendly policies and economic opportunities.
According to her, providing young people with a sense of security and the resources to pursue their aspirations will empower them to exercise autonomy over their lives and build the futures they envision.
Mafiko also described Nigeria’s youthful population as one of the country’s greatest assets, noting that empowering young people to innovate, build resilience and thrive would strengthen national development.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr. Aminu Yusuf, said about 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 30.
He noted that the country’s large youth population presents enormous opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, technological advancement, productivity, social transformation and economic growth.
However, Yusuf cautioned that a youthful population alone does not guarantee a demographic dividend, stressing the need for deliberate investments and policies to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s young people.