Mongolians are marrying later and divorcing younger. As the age of first marriage rises, the number of new marriages is falling, while divorce remains stubbornly high.

🙂‍↕️ First Marriage Is Happening 4 Years Later

The average age at first marriage has increased by roughly four years over the past 25 years. Women now marry at around 26-27, while men marry at 28-29, up from an average of 24.7 in 2000. Education, employment, housing and income are among the factors behind the delay, which also pushes back childbearing. Registered marriages fell from 20,000 in 2019 to 14,200 in 2024 and 12,600 in 2025.

🏠 Women Head 1/3 of Households

This shift is also reflected in household structures. Mongolia had around 1 million households in 2025, with 68.5% headed by men and 31.5% by women. Of the 317,000 female-headed households, 78.7% are in urban areas. Between the 2 censuses, the number of married people increased by 9.5%, or 123,800, while those who had never married rose by 2.9% and widowed people by 5.4%.

• 💔 At the same time, the number of divorced people rose by 32.8%, or 16,900. In 2024, 4,500 divorces were recorded against 14,200 marriages, equivalent to around 30% of new marriages, with 89% of divorces registered in urban areas.

📉 Divorce Is Shifting Toward Ages 35-44

The age profile is changing as well. Divorce was previously most common among those aged 44-54, but the peak has shifted to 35-44. In 2025, 34.3% of divorced men and 31.3% of divorced women were in this age group.

👨‍👩‍👧 Households Are Getting Smaller

Meanwhile, household size is shrinking. 1 and 2 member households now make up the largest share, overtaking 3-4 member households. Compared with the previous census, they increased by 31.2% in urban areas and 25.3% in rural areas. They account for 40.6% of rural households, while 3-4 member households make up 35.5% of urban households. Households with 5-6 and 7+ members declined by 0.1-0.4 percentage points.

Overall… Mongolians are marrying later, living in smaller households and divorcing at younger ages. If this trend continues, it could reshape Mongolia’s demographic outlook in the years ahead.