Life Partner Preferences

Do matrimonial preferences differ between never-married and previously married people?

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Answer

Direct answer

They may, because previous marriage can change priorities around children, residence, finances, legal clarity and family involvement. However, Pakistan’s Census only counts marital-status groups; it does not ask what partner attributes they prefer. A platform comparison would also need enough profiles in each group and adjustment for age, gender, children, education and location. Without that work, saying divorced or widowed people are more “flexible” is a stereotype, not a finding. The defensible conclusion is that the national evidence currently cannot quantify the difference.

Evidence

Sources used

Official Statistics · 2023

Population age 15 and above by marital status, Census 2023

Pakistan Bureau of Statistics

Census 2023, Table 6: population aged 15+ by sex, age group, marital status and rural/urban residence. Counts are census stocks, not annual marriages or divorces.

Source checked:

View source
National Survey · 2019

Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017–18

National Institute of Population Studies and The DHS Program

National survey evidence for marriage timing, women, households and health indicators.View source
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