In a recent survey commissioned by Accord, the Catholic marriage care service, and conducted by Amárach Research, a correlation has been identified between the availability of housing and the decision of couples in Ireland to marry or start a family. This comes in the wake of the Central Statistics Office reporting a continuing decline in the crude marriage rate.
Tony Shanahan, Director of Accord CLG, highlighted the survey’s significant findings, stating, “The results are both significant and striking.” The survey revealed that an overwhelming 84% of Irish adults believe that the ongoing housing crisis is a primary reason for couples delaying marriage and parenthood. This sentiment is even more pronounced among women, with 89% agreeing, compared to 79% of men.
Among the younger demographic, specifically those aged 25-34, 54% expressed plans to marry and/or have children, underscoring the desire for family life amidst challenging circumstances. A particularly telling statistic is that 48% of couples who are planning to marry would have done so already if not for the housing situation, with 33% having delayed their plans by three years or more. Similarly, for those planning to have children, 60% would have started their families earlier if housing were more accessible, with 36% postponing parenthood by three years.
Mr. Shanahan emphasised the broader social implications of these findings, “This has serious social implications now and into the future.” He suggested several practical responses, including government intervention to streamline the planning process and amend regulations to utilise vacant properties, aiming to increase the housing supply. “The hope that young people hold for a married life together, and to start a family, needs to be underpinned by certainty in a functioning and affordable housing market,” he added.
The survey’s release coincides with Accord’s publication of the 2024 island-wide data on marriage preparation courses, showing a decline in participation from 7,281 couples in 2023 to 5,194 in 2024. This decrease might reflect broader trends influenced by the housing crisis, as couples reassess their life plans.
