3328: Economic Hardship and High Bride Price Delay Youth Marriages

A Chai Talk discussion examined why many young people in South Sudan are delaying marriage, after the Mayor of Torit said that only a few of the more than 2,000 youths he addressed indicated they were married.

Callers identified unemployment, financial instability, high bride prices and the rising cost of supporting a family as the main barriers. Some said both men and women now prefer to become financially independent before marriage, while others urged families to make marriage requirements more affordable. Listeners also encouraged young people to engage in farming and other income-generating activities before taking on family responsibilities.