What qualities do Pakistanis report considering when choosing a spouse?
Last reviewed:
Direct answer
Pakistani studies commonly identify religion, character, education, family background, financial stability, physical attraction and interpersonal compatibility, but no national survey ranks these qualities for the whole population. One private-university study examined 60 traits and found high importance for qualities including faithfulness and neatness, while a Malakand study of 500 educated women emphasized compatibility and shared values alongside personal agency. These are sample-specific findings. Priorities vary by sex, age, education, family role, region and whether respondents describe ideals or actual decisions.
Sources used
Mate selection preferences among university students in Pakistan
Science International
A limited private-university study of desired spouse traits; findings cannot be generalized to all Pakistanis.View sourceEducation and mate-selection agency among educated women in Malakand Division
PubMed-indexed research
Mixed-method regional study using 30 interviews and a questionnaire completed by 500 educated women.View sourcePakistan 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