Traditional family households face decline

In the gleaming heart of Pakistan's federal capital Islamabad, a quiet transformation is taking place. The traditional multigenerational household, once the hallmark of South Asian family life, is steadily disappearing.

Rising living costs, shrinking rental spaces, health concerns and the pressures of dual-income households are forcing families into smaller units, reducing household size and reshaping the city's social fabric.

A decade ago, neighbourhoods in many sectors of Islamabad thrived with three generations under one roof. Grandparents tended toddlers while the aroma of shared meals filled the house. Today, such scenes are increasingly rare as apartment listings now advertise compact two-bedroom units intended for three or four people.

"People aren't looking for space anymore, they are looking for affordability," said a veteran real estate agent in G-11. "A family of five is unmanageable here, even on utilities alone." The economic squeeze is a central factor. Rent has risen sharply, electricity and water bills bite deeper, and schooling and healthcare costs continue to climb.

Many parents say that raising more than a few children is no longer financially feasible. Schoolteacher Sajida Bibi said, "Everything including food, transport and education are all expensive. We didn't choose a small family; the city chose it for us."

Medical realities also play a role. Caesarean births have become more common, with recovery periods demanding months of care. Stress, delayed pregnancies and lifestyle related health issues mean that many couples now plan smaller families to prioritise maternal wellbeing. "Women are saying enough," observes Dr Ayesha Khan, an obstetrician at PIMS Hospital. "They are choosing their health over traditional expectations of having multiple children."

Work pressures further reinforce this trend. Dual-income families, now a significant portion of the city's workforce, juggle long hours in offices, call centres and corporate sectors. Caring for elderly parents has become a challenge, prompting many households to leave grandparents in hometowns or rely on digital communication to stay connected. "My parents live in Lahore," said Zara Malik, a 32-year-old tech professional working in Sector F-7. "I can't afford a flat for them here, or the time to care for them. WhatsApp groups and video calls are all we have."

Urban development has changed the very blueprint of family life. New high-rise towers in different sectors of the capital prioritise profit over functionality, offering small apartments with limited communal spaces. Playgrounds are replaced by parking lots, and domestic workers report seeing elderly residents living alone, often in isolation. For children, the traditional neighbourhood network is thinning, siblings are scattered, and cousins meet less frequently, eroding social bonds that once defined the city.

Sociologists warn that this trend carries long-term social consequences. Fewer siblings and limited intergenerational interaction can weaken child development, reduce mentorship opportunities and increase loneliness among the elderly. Mental health professionals in Islamabad report rising urban isolation, with more residents seeking support for stress, anxiety and social disconnect. "We're trading close knit families for convenience and affordability," said Quaid-i-Azam University sociologist Dr Farah Adeel.