Maretha Uli, Jakarta – Once widely seen as a rite of passage, marriage is being redefined by Indonesia's Generation Z, who are increasingly choosing to wait or keep celebrations modest as rising living costs and evolving personal values reshape their priorities.
For 26-year-old Safira, a Jakarta-based digital designer who requested anonymity, marriage is not yet on her immediate agenda.
"I want to marry when I'm ready, financially and mentally, and when I have a more stable job and life plan," she told The Jakarta Post last week.
For now, she is focused on building her foundation, while fielding the familiar, often-pressuring question from relatives at every wedding: 'When's your turn?'
Meanwhile, 22-year-old Khansa said she remains cautious about marriage, admitting she is not mentally prepared after witnessing the struggles of women in troubled marriages around her.
"I once saw it at a restaurant, a woman struggling to feed her children while her husband was glued to his phone," recalled the private-sector worker from Bekasi, West Java.
She hopes to meet the right partner someday, but not just yet. For now, she is focused on exploring life, traveling, pursuing a master's degree and finding her own happiness.
Across Indonesia, Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, are increasingly putting marriage on the back burner, prioritizing personal growth and financial stability. When they do marry, many are choosing smaller, more modest celebrations.
Toned down
Raisa Wardana, who requested a pseudonym, plans to hold her wedding this August in her hometown of Surakarta, Central Java, choosing a mosque ceremony without a separate reception.
"I don't want anything complicated. Organizing a reception is exhausting. What matters most is the akad [wedding ceremony]," the 25-year-old said.
Raisa will host around 100 guests, with a total budget of Rp 50 million (US$2,978), half the cost of her sister's 1,200-guest wedding in 2013. By selecting a mosque that cost less than Rp 1 million rather than an expensive wedding hall, she aims to keep expenses manageable.
"Instead of spending on a venue and decorations that last only a day, we'd rather invest in our future," the Jakarta-based civil servant said, adding that she and her future husband plan to secure proper housing in capital Jakarta after the wedding.
Acknowledging the growing reluctance, the Religious Affairs Ministry's directorate general of Islamic community guidance (Bimas Islam) director Abu Rokhmad asserted that marriage in Islam is advised for those who are physically and mentally ready.
"Marriage is one of the religious teachings Islam encourages its followers to uphold," he said on Feb 19.
To encourage Gen Z to consider marriage, the directorate has launched various campaigns, including the marriage registration awareness movement (GAS Nikah), which leverages social media to reach young audiences.
Abu noted that weddings can be costly and highlighted that, since 2014, couples have had the option to marry free of charge at Religious Affairs Offices (KUA), offering financial relief for prospective couples.
Sociologist Rakhmat Hidayat said that Gen Z's shifting attitude stems from no longer seeing marriage as a traditional obligation.
"They are comfortable with the idea of not marrying. Even when they do, they take a measured approach, carefully considering the next steps, especially financial matters," he said on Feb. 20.
Rakhmat added that young people should not be pressured to marry, and suggested the government engage them in meaningful dialogue to prepare for marriage.
"Gen Z's strength lies in their strong sense of independent thinking, so they can't be simply forced or dictated to," he added.
Source: https://asianews.network/marriage-takes-backseat-for-indonesias-gen-z