A new social trend appears to be gaining momentum in Uzbekistan. According to official data, more than 5,000 marriages have been registered this year alone in which the bride is older than the groom — a phenomenon that is drawing widespread public attention.
Most of these couples live in the capital, Tashkent, reflecting the demographic and cultural shifts taking place, particularly in urban areas.
Experts note that major cities often serve as pioneers of social transformation, where traditional norms are being reconsidered and family roles are evolving.
Uzbekistan’s Committee for Family Affairs has confirmed that in many of these cases, the age difference between spouses is significant. However, authorities emphasize that these marriages are the result of conscious and voluntary decisions made by the couples themselves.
“The decision to marry is made by the partners and is based on feelings, mutual understanding, and shared interests,” the institution said in an official statement.
Traditionally, in many Central Asian societies, it has been more common for the husband to be older than the wife. The growing number of marriages where the bride is older is seen as an indicator of changing mindsets and increasing personal independence among young people.
While some view this phenomenon as a sign of modernization and greater gender equality, others see it as a challenge to traditional family norms. Nevertheless, the figures clearly show that this trend is on the rise and becoming increasingly visible in Uzbek society.
