Fewer Omanis marrying due to steep dowries

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Muscat: Oman recorded fewer marriages in 2015 than the previous year, according to official figures.

Approximately 25,659 marriages were recorded in 2015 compared to 28,000 in 2014, figures show.

Sociologists say the decline in marriages are directly related to families asking for higher dowries due to higher wedding expenses, especially in tribal areas in the country’s interior provinces.

But even in the capital Muscat, many Omanis say they cannot afford to pay for wedding expenses.

Ahmad Al Baloushi, who earns 500 Omani rials (Dh4,770) a month as a chauffeur told Gulf News he had to wait to marry in order to save up enough money.

“I did not want to take out a loan to pay for my wedding,” he said.

Rashid Al Ibri, a resident of Ibri province had to save money for his wedding and dowry for four years, despite the fact that he works as an engineer.

“I spent 15,000 rials for wedding expenses,” he said.

The average Omani spends 4,000 rials for dowry, but some families ask for up to 20,000 rials.

Oman’s Shura Council proposed the Marriage Support Fund in 2011, which would provide interest-free loans to Omanis who could not afford to pay for a wedding. The fund would also provide couseling services to Omani couples.

The proposed fund has not yet been approved by Omani authorities.

Lavish spending on weddings in the country has led to many Omani men to marry foreigners, which in turn has led to demographic concerns and challenges.

Staff Report