Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development (DSCD) has announced the conclusion of the first phase of a comprehensive survey undertaken for its study titled, ‘Attitudes of Sharjah nationals towards spending on marriage’, that aims to identify the crucial factors impacting wedding costs in the emirate and its burden on families.

More than 2,700 Emirati citizens from Sharjah were contacted in Phase 1 of the survey that concluded on February 18.

Launched In January 2021 in collaboration with the Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC) and the Institute of Humanities & Social Sciences at the University of Sharjah, the study aims to provide accurate data and analysis of the culture of weddings amongst the Emirati community in Sharjah, and identify the main elements influencing and escalating wedding costs while also studying its impact on families stability. The survey gathered relevant information from both single and married Emirati nationals in Sharjahin the age group of 18 – 60.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Chairman of DSCD, said the department’s call centre had conducted more than 2,700 calls out of the targeted audience through phone calls to conduct the electronic survey.

The next step in the study will commence when the Institute of Humanities & Social Sciences at the University of Sharjah begin to study the outcomes and analyse the data according to well recognised scientific approaches. SCC will forward recommendations and strategies that tie in with the goals of the study, he added.

The DSCD Chairman hailed the Emirati community in Sharjah for their cooperation during the data collection phase and for providing accurate data. He assured that all the information shared would remain confidential.