A wedding dress shop in Seoul (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — More than six in 10 unmarried men and nearly half of unmarried women in South Korea say they intend to marry, according to a new national survey that suggests a gradual shift in attitudes amid the country’s prolonged demographic downturn.
The Korea Population and Health Welfare Association said Sunday that 60.8 percent of unmarried men and 47.6 percent of unmarried women expressed an intention to marry, based on a survey of 2,050 adults aged 20 to 44 conducted in September.
The figures marked the second consecutive year of increases for both groups, up from 58.5 percent and 44.6 percent, respectively, a year earlier.
Still, hesitation remains widespread. Among those who were unsure or opposed to marriage, men most often cited the financial burden, while women pointed to the difficulty of finding a suitable partner.
Intentions to have children also edged higher across all groups surveyed. Among unmarried men, 62 percent said they planned to have children, up 3.6 percentage points from the previous year, while the figure for unmarried women rose modestly to 42.6 percent. Married respondents were less inclined overall, though their responses also showed small year-on-year increases.
Young Koreans Show Renewed Interest in Marriage, Survey Suggests (Yonhap)
Economic concerns loomed large in attitudes toward childbirth. Most respondents who were reluctant cited financial pressure, but unmarried women stood out for prioritizing concerns about a child’s future happiness.
Average desired family size varied sharply by marital status and gender, with married men expecting 1.69 children on average, compared with just 0.91 among unmarried women.
The survey also explored broader views on marriage, parenthood and life satisfaction. While 86.1 percent agreed that marriage helps form strong family bonds, a majority also saw marriage as more of a burden than a benefit. Many respondents placed greater value on personal commitment than on legal marriage itself.
When asked what mattered most for a fulfilling life, respondents overwhelmingly prioritized having enjoyable and meaningful work. Marriage and having children ranked lower, reflecting shifting values among younger generations.
Lee Sam-sik, head of the association, said the results point to “a meaningful change” in attitudes toward marriage and childbirth, even as South Korea continues to grapple with one of the world’s lowest birthrates. He added that policies would need to evolve in step with younger generations’ emphasis on careers, relationships and quality of life.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
