Marriage Registrations in Kenya Decline Sharply as NCPD Sounds Alarm on Youth Hesitancy

NAIROBI, Kenya – September 4th, 2025 – By Bruno Aero

The Director General of the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), Mohammed Sheikh, has emphasize and raised a fresh concerns over the sharp decline in marriage registrations speaking during a press. briefing in a celebration  across Kenya, even as the country joined the rest of the world in marking World Population Day 2025.

Official records show that marriage registrations have dropped significantly from 20,000 in 2023 to just 15,000 in 2025, signaling a worrying trend in the way young Kenyans perceive formal unions. Sheikh attributed this decline not only to social attitudes but also to bureaucratic delays that prevent couples from receiving their certificates on time.

This decline does not necessarily mean that people are not marrying, Sheikh explained. “The reality is that many couples are caught in delays and do not get their certificates on time. At the same time, we are seeing more young people becoming hesitant to formalize marriages.

While noting the decline, Sheikh  Mohammed highlighted that Kenya has made progress in other crucial population and development indicators. Child mortality has dropped, teenage pregnancies have reduced, urban development opportunities have expanded, and cases of abuse against women and girls have gone down. These gains, he said, prove that Kenya is moving forward, but the foundation of family stability still requires urgent attention.

Sheikh emphasized the enduring importance of marriage as a social and legal institution. Beyond being a contract, he described it as a bond of companionship, shared responsibility, and a cornerstone for family growth and national cohesion.

Young people today are increasingly terrified of getting married, yet marriage remains a bond of companionship, reproduction, and friendship, Sheikh remarked. Youth must understand that they are the drivers of growth, family stability, and the nation’s development journey.

He further stressed that Africa must continue positioning itself at the center of the global population agenda, saying, “We must bring the world to Africa.”

This year’s World Population Day was observed under the global theme: “Empowering Young People, Rising Above Challenges and Making Informed Choices for the Future.” The commemoration placed a spotlight on the role of young people in shaping Africa’s future, underscoring the need for empowerment, informed decision-making, and the strengthening of social institutions such as marriage.

As Kenya navigates its demographic transition, policymakers and cultural leaders face the dual task of celebrating progress while addressing new challenges. The decline in formal marriages may signal deeper shifts in values, priorities, and economic realities for young people—issues that demand urgent dialogue at both national and community levels.

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