Economic hardship, housing crisis keeping Nigerian youths single – United Nations Population Fund

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFP) has stated that a survey it conducted in Nigeria shows that many youths are single due to economic and housing constraints.

Speaking during the commemoration of the 2026 World Population Day, UNFPA’s Nigeria Resident Representative, Muriel Mafiko, said many youth are longing to have their own family but they face many barriers that include; unemployment and underemployment, rising living and housing costs, insecurity and unequal access to quality education and healthcare, including sexual reproductive health service

She said these conditions can and do limit their choices and make it difficult for them to plan confidently for their future.

“It is easy for us to assume that younger generations have given up on marriage and children altogether, but our survey tells a different story. Our survey tells us a different story. Most respondents say their ideal relationship involves marriage, yet among those who want a partner, many are single with economic and housing constraints, the most commonly cited barriers,” she said.

“They also want children, and across many regions, two is the ideal family size. While many question whether they will have the ability and the stability to secure housing and to care for them, in short, it is uncertainty, not unwillingness, that has young people question whether they can start the families they want. But how are our governments responding? In response to changing demographic trends, including ageing and low fertility, governments are exploring a wide range of policies.”

She, however, said youth need a sense of security to plan for their future, and the agency to act on those plans, adding that the responsibility lies with leaders everywhere to support these aspirations.

“With smart, forward-looking, inclusive investments that protect their rights and expand their choices, from family and health care to parental leave and childcare support, young people in all their diversities and all their abilities can exercise autonomy over their bodies and lives and build the futures they want. They can exercise their right to make the most intimate and consequential decisions of their lives.”

She stated that one of Nigeria’s greatest assets is knowledge, and when young people are empowered to innovate, develop resilience and to thrive, creating the conditions that allow them to make real choices will provide assurance for their future.

On his part, the Chairman of the National Population Commission, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, said approximately 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 30.

He added that the size of the youth population presents immense opportunities for innovation, productivity, entrepreneurship, technological advancement, social transformation, and economic growth.

“It makes our young people one of our greatest national assets and one of the most important determinants of our future development trajectory. But we must be clear: a youthful population does not automatically translate into a demographic dividend.”