Inside why Batswana are putting marriage on hold

Friday, September 18, 2026 | 150 Views |

The price of love: Some research suggests the cost of bogadi and expensive wedding ceremonies is turning many couples away from marriage PIC: KENTEKNOTS.COM

Since time immemorial, marriage has been an important rite of passage of Setswana culture. Courtship would lead to patlo, bogadi, and marriage, with children traditionally coming afterwards.

Today, that order is changing. Batswana are still falling in love, living together, and having children, but many are marrying much later, whilst others are not marrying at all.

Statistics Botswana's latest figures show that just 4,517 marriages were registered in 2024, the lowest number recorded in a decade and 41% below the 7,631 recorded at the recent peak in 2021. The crude marriage rate has consequently slipped to just 1.8 marriages per 1,000 people.

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