A new Pew Research Center report reveals that across 18 mostly middle-income countries, people widely agree on the “ideal” timeline for major life milestones. The study shows that by age 30, most adults believe people should ideally be married, have a child, and own a home — and that retirement should come before age 60.
Key Global Averages for Life Milestones
| Milestone | Global Average Ideal Age |
|---|---|
| Marriage | 25.9 years |
| First Child | 26.1 years |
| Homeownership | 29.9 years |
| Retirement | 57.9 years |
Regional and Demographic Patterns
Marriage
- People in Bangladesh favor the youngest marriage age (avg. 21.2), while Argentina suggests one of the oldest (28.9).
- Women, on average, think marriage should happen earlier than men.
- Religious and less-educated respondents also tend to support earlier marriage.
Parenthood
- A consistent global consensus places the ideal age for having a first child around 26, though Tunisia and Argentina lean closer to 30.
- As with marriage, younger adults suggest slightly later parenthood than older respondents.
- Education level is a key factor—those with more schooling favor delaying childbirth.
Homeownership
- The greatest variation appears here, with ideal ages ranging from 24.9 in Brazil to 36.3 in Ghana.
- Unlike other milestones, home-buying views are less influenced by education or income levels.
Retirement
- The ideal age to retire varies from 52.1 in Colombia to 62.7 in Nigeria, with a global average of just under 58.
- Interestingly, most people think retirement should happen earlier than their country’s official pension eligibility age.
- In several countries, notably Nigeria and Kenya, adults still prefer later retirement even with earlier pension access.
Americans: No Set Timeline for Milestones
In the U.S., large shares of adults believe there’s “no best age” for life milestones. Still, among those who gave a specific age:
| Milestone | U.S. Average Ideal Age |
|---|---|
| Marriage | 26.5 years |
| First Child | 27.3 years |
| Homeownership | 28.8 years |
| Retirement | 61.8 years |
Cultural Expectations Still Strong Worldwide
- A majority (53%) of adults across all surveyed countries say the ideal is to marry, have a child, and buy a home by age 30.
- Countries like Mexico and Sri Lanka have the highest share of people agreeing with this timeline (up to 74%).
Conclusion: Timing Remains Cultural
While the ideal age for life milestones is subjective, this global snapshot shows clear cultural and demographic patterns. Most people still believe in early adulthood as the time to settle down, start a family, and secure housing—though younger and more educated groups are nudging those expectations slightly later.
Stay informed on global social trends and how they shape life decisions worldwide.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].