For earlier generations, marriage was the natural next step in life. For Gen Z, it is a decision, one that comes after career, financial stability and emotional readiness. Circumstances play a part too. The UNFPA Demographic Futures Survey 2026 found that economic insecurity and rising housing costs are delaying marriage and parenthood, even though young people still aspire to have families. So many young people are not running away from marriage. They are waiting until they feel ready. insightsonindia
Compatibility comes first. One in two Indians believes that living together before committing is important for understanding a partner better. That research, by Ormax Media for Lionsgate Play, surveyed 1,000 people across India in February 2023. In a separate survey on the dating app QuackQuack, 63% of those under 30 wanted a live-in relationship for the same reason. 1 in 2 indians prefer living in before they get married lionsgate play report +2
Marriage still has believers. Only 28% of people under 30 thought marriage was better than a long-term live-in, but women (32%) were more likely than men (24%) to prefer it. This may be because marriage offers women more legal and social security. ianslife
Family is the biggest hurdle. Among those who wanted a live-in, 26.5% said their family values stood in the way. Only 34% believed their parents would be open to the idea. Attitudes are shifting, but slowly, and the gap between what young people want and what their homes accept remains wide. ianslifeafaqs
Society still judges. In one survey, 80% of millennials said Indian society still sees live-in relationships as a major taboo, while 47% considered marriage the better option. Many people support live-in in principle but hesitate to live it openly. shethepeople
It is tempting to say live-in is replacing marriage, but research does not back this up. A peer-reviewed study from Loreto College, Kolkata, found that live-in helps couples assess compatibility, but it has not become a prerequisite for marriage or taken precedence over it. For most young people, live-in is a way to get to know someone before deciding, not a way to avoid commitment. ijip
Most of these surveys are small, run on dating apps, or include millennials alongside Gen Z. Dating app users tend to be more open-minded than average, and the findings lean towards urban India. They show a direction of change, not the views of every young Indian.
Gen Z is not rejecting marriage. It is questioning it, and wants to enter it by choice rather than by default. Live-in works for those who are clear about their intentions and mature enough to handle the social pressure. Marriage works for those who value stability and long-term commitment.
Whichever path you take, the foundations are the same: honest communication, shared expectations and mutual respect.
Sources: Lionsgate Play x Ormax Media (2023), QuackQuack survey, IJIP study (2021), UNFPA Demographic Futures Survey 2026.