“Older Men, Younger Women: What’s Behind the Trend in Baku?”
In recent years, a growing number of young women in Azerbaijan—particularly in urban centers like Baku, Sumgait, and Ganja—have been entering relationships with men significantly older than themselves. This evolving social trend has triggered widespread debate, especially on social media, as traditional norms clash with modern lifestyle choices.
To explore what’s fueling this phenomenon, Baku TV conducted a street survey in central Baku, including popular areas like Fountains Square, the Torgovaya shopping district, and metro station exits, where people from all walks of life were asked for their opinion.
Many pointed to emotional maturity as a key factor:
“Young girls today are looking for stability—not just financial, but emotional as well,” said a 27-year-old teacher from Yasamal district. “Older men are usually more calm, settled, and less likely to play games. That’s attractive in today’s stressful world.”
Others pointed to economic realities specific to Azerbaijan:
“Look at the rent prices in Baku—how can a young couple afford to start a life?” said a respondent near 28 May metro station. “A man in his 20s may not have a job or a house, while someone in his 40s might already own property in Khatai or Narimanov. It’s not gold-digging—it’s survival.”
A university student from Baku State University offered a generational perspective:
“My mother married young and struggled for years. I don’t want that life. If an older partner can give me peace of mind and support my goals, why not?”
Some older male respondents had mixed reactions. One businessman in his 50s from Nizami district said:
“If it’s about love and mutual respect, age doesn’t matter. But I do worry some young women today see marriage only as a way to get out of financial hardship.”
The survey also highlighted changing gender roles in Azerbaijan. With more women completing higher education, pursuing careers, and delaying marriage, emotional compatibility and lifestyle alignment are taking precedence over traditional expectations of age and gender roles.
However, not everyone sees the trend positively.
“It’s sad, in a way,” said a sociologist from Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. “When young women feel they have no choice but to seek financial shelter in a partner, it reflects deeper problems—like lack of affordable housing, unequal pay, and social pressure to marry young.”
Despite differing views, one thing is clear: the definition of relationships is changing across Azerbaijan. Whether driven by love, logic, or a mix of both, the growing age gap in romantic partnerships is no longer a taboo, but part of a broader conversation about independence, stability, and modern values.
As one respondent concluded near Sahil Park:
“People used to marry because society expected them to. Now they marry to feel safe, understood, and supported—even if that means breaking with tradition.”
