Concerns of the Islamic Republic over 'Childbearing' Issue; Increase in Unmarried Girls Reaching Marriage Age

The Director General of the Youth Planning and Social Development Office stated that the number of girls who have reached the age of permanent singleness is high, saying: "What is concerning in today's Iranian society is not the decrease in the age of marriage, but rather the main issue is the increase in the age of marriage for individuals." According to Mehdi Motaghi Far, as the age of marriage increases, childbearing is postponed, and unfortunately, permanent singleness occurs. The statistics of girls who have reached the age of permanent singleness are high. This problem leads to social harm, and the aging of these individuals will be difficult and will have its own specific issues. Statistics published by the Civil Registration Organization show that in the spring season, nearly 80,000 marriages and about 38,000 divorces were registered in the country. Based on these statistics, an unprecedented event has occurred in Iran, where in 12 provinces, for every two marriages, at least one divorce has been registered. Analysts believe that the 'money-dispensing' policies [in the form of various loans] for marriage and childbearing play a significant role in the formation of unsuccessful marriages, and rampant inflation and rising prices also threaten the foundations of families. Consequently, the divorce rate has reached half of the marriage rate. Another noteworthy point in the 'money-dispensing' policy for facilitating marriage is the easing of conditions for obtaining marriage loans and the removal of the obligation for public military service, meaning that anyone subject to military service can benefit from this loan if they get married. Experts state that inflation is another influential factor in the increase in divorce rates. Currently, the year-on-year inflation rate for food items has been above 70% for several consecutive months, and the overall inflation rate has exceeded 40% in the past four years. Meanwhile, wages and salaries in Iran have not kept pace with the growth of prices and annual inflation, and the gap between expenses and income has significantly widened. A review of economic statistics and their correlation with divorce rates also shows that divorce rates have increased significantly in proportion to inflation and unemployment. Analyzing the sharp increase in divorce rates in various parts of Iran; Shahram Bahraminejad explains. The open platform online; an opportunity for expressing your views freely and without restrictions. An expert's assessment of the social aspects of the seventh development plan: Expect confrontational actions regarding social health. The economic crisis and the ineffectiveness of marriage incentives; divorce peaked in the spring. Statistics speak; inflation has disrupted social relations. The increase in divorce rates and the decrease in marriage and childbearing; Ansiyeh Khazali: The problem is not economic, but women's extravagance.