Seoul: Six out of 10 office workers in South Korea believe marriage is no longer necessary, as revealed by a recent survey that highlights shifting social norms and economic challenges.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the survey conducted by local online job placement portal Incruit involved 653 wage earners. It found that 60.2 percent of those surveyed feel that getting married is not essential. The survey further indicated a gender disparity in perspectives, with 50.3 percent of male respondents considering marriage necessary compared to only 24.7 percent of female respondents.
Among single individuals, the desire to marry remains relatively strong, with 66.6 percent expressing a wish to marry someday. Emotional stability was cited by 57.5 percent as a key reason for wanting to tie the knot. Conversely, for those who expressed no interest in marriage, 39.6 percent felt no necessity for it, and 23.7 percent attributed their disinterest to economic instability.
Despite a reported 14.9 percent increase in marriages in South Korea in 2024, largely due to couples deciding to get married following the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall trend of marriage has been declining over the past few decades. This decline aligns with evolving social norms, lifestyle changes, challenging job market conditions, and rising home prices.
Additionally, government data revealed that the total fertility rate in South Korea stood at 0.75 in 2024. This figure is significantly lower than the 2.1 births per woman needed to maintain a stable population without immigration.