Between being single and creating a family: When and why do young Europeans get married?

1. The marriage map in the EU: Where are young people rushing?

The average age at first marriage has risen steadily in recent decades, surpassing the 30-year threshold in most member states.

• The “hurry”: States in eastern and southeastern Europe record the lowest average ages at first marriage. In Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria, young people tend to marry earlier, most often before the age of 30. 
• The “patient”: At the opposite pole are the Nordic states and those in Western Europe. In Sweden, Spain, and Italy, the average age at first marriage for men often exceeds 35, and for women, 33. 
• The decline of official marriages: The marriage rate (number of marriages per 1,000 inhabitants) fell from 8.0 in 1964 to approximately 3.2 in 2022/2023, a sign that young people prefer consensual unions or civil partnerships.
  

2. Romania: tradition VS economic pressure

In Romania, although traditional values remain strong, economic reality imposes new ground rules for young people who want to start a family.

• Increasing average age: In Romania, the average age at first marriage has reached approximately 32 for men and 28-29 for women, a significant increase compared to the 24-25 threshold of two decades ago  
• Births outside marriage: Nearly 30-33% of children born in recent years in Romania have parents who are not civilly married, reflecting a European trend toward the acceptance of families without “papers”. 
• The housing factor: A major obstacle for young Romanians is access to housing. Dependence on parents (mentioned in previous articles) delays the decision to form one’s own family until financial stability or a mortgage is obtained.

Marriage as a late “milestone”

European-level analysis shows us that forming a family is no longer the first step toward maturity, but the last. Today’s youth prioritize completing their studies, exploring the labor market, and securing housing before saying “I do.”

While in states like France or Denmark the state offers subsidies and facilities for young couples regardless of civil status, in Romania, the pressure to “settle down” often comes from the extended family, coming into conflict with real economic difficulties. The result is a generation that marries later, has fewer children, and places a much greater emphasis on psychological compatibility and the independence of partners.

Benefits and facilities for young families: European models

EU member states adopt different strategies: some rely on direct subsidies (cash), while others invest heavily in services (nurseries, kindergartens) or tax reductions.

1. France: The “champion” of services and taxation

France has one of the highest fertility rates in the EU due to a complex system that combines parental leave with unique tax advantages.

• Quotient familial: It is a tax system that reduces income tax proportionally to the number of children. The more children you have, the fewer taxes you pay to the state. 
• Basic allowance (PAJE): Granted at the birth of the child and continuing until the age of 3, contingent on income.

2. Germany: Flexibility and direct support

Germany emphasizes “Elterngeld” (Parental allowance), allowing both partners to share childcare time.

• Elterngeld: Parents can receive between 65% and 100% of their previous income (between 300 and 1800 Euro per month) for a period of up to 14 months if both parents participate in the leave.
• Kindergeld: A universal allowance of approximately 250 Euro per month for each child, regardless of the parents’ income (Source: Familienportal.de).

3. Hungary: Familycredit (the eastern model)

Hungary has adopted aggressive lending policies to encourage marriage and birth rates among young people under 40.

• “Babaváró” credit: Married young couples can receive an interest-free loan of approximately 30,000 Euro. If they have three children, the debt is fully canceled by the state. 
• Lifelong tax exemption: Women raising at least four children are exempt for life from paying income tax.

4. Romania: Between indemnity and lending programs

In Romania, primary support comes through the child-raising allowance, but also through new lending programs for youth.

• Child-raising allowance: Represents 85% of the average net income realized in the last 12 months, capped at a maximum of 8,500 RON per month (Source: Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity – Social assistance benefits). 
• Family start: A state-subsidized lending program where young people can access up to 150,000 RON for expenses related to weddings, hospitalization at birth, children’s education, or car down payments, with partially or fully subsidized interest.

Data suggests that the French and Nordic models (investment in nurseries and tax breaks) are more effective in the long term for the independence of young people than direct cash subsidies. In Romania, although the allowance amounts are competitive, the lack of infrastructure (nurseries and kindergartens with extended hours) remains the main reason why young people delay starting a family.

Comparative table: Allowance and financial support per child (2026)

Analysis: What should a young family know?

• Universality vs. need: In Germany and Romania, the allowance is a universal right (everyone receives the same fixed amount). In France and Italy, the system is redistributive: if parents have high salaries, the allowance decreases significantly, with the money being directed toward vulnerable families. 
• Purchasing power: Although the amount in Germany seems the highest, the cost of living and services (private kindergartens, rents) is proportional. The Netherlands is the only one that increases the amount as the child grows, recognizing the higher education costs for teenagers. 
• Indemnity (leave): In addition to these amounts, all 5 countries offer maternity/paternity indemnities representing between 65% and 100% of the salary for periods of 6 to 24 months.

Conclusions for young people in Romania 

Although the allowance in Romania is among the smallest in nominal terms (at the exchange rate), relative to the minimum wage, it represents important support. However, the great difference compared to the rest of the 5 economies is infrastructure: in the other mentioned countries, the state guarantees a place in a nursery or subsidizes nannies, allowing both parents to return quickly to the workforce to maintain their financial independence.

Article written by Mihai Marcel Ghinea.