In 2023, South Korea recorded one of the lowest numbers of marriages since 1981, with only 193,657 couples getting married. The trend of shunning marriage has been particularly noticeable in recent years, with the number of marriages drastically decreasing by over 40 percent compared to ten years ago. Changing perceptions of marriage An increasing number of people in South Korea, particularly women, are choosing not to get married. According to a survey conducted in 2023, only around 30 percent of women saw marriage as a necessity, compared to almost 60 percent of men. The most common reasons for not getting married were a lack of financial resources and simply not seeing the need for it. Demographic challenges With more people remaining single and not having children, the birth rate in South Korea has dropped to the lowest in the world, reaching a record low of 0.72 births per woman in 2023. The government has tried to tackle the problem of population decline and aging through various measures, so far with little success.

According to a survey conducted in South Korea in 2024, about 48 percent of respondents believed that marriage is a necessity in life, while approximately 45 percent expressed that it is acceptable to either marry or not. The survey indicated that a higher percentage of men, around 60 percent, considered marriage to be a necessity, while only 37 percent of women shared the same view.

In 2023, the marriage rate of South Korean men aged 30 to 34 was 40.1 marriages per thousand men, the highest figure among different age groups. The number of marriages in South Korea has steadily decreased, while the average age at first marriage is increasing.

In 2023, the median age at which South Korean women married for the first time was 31.45 years, while for men it was 33.97 years. The average age of both men and women marrying for the first time in South Korea has steadily risen in recent years, reaching an all-time high in 2023. Shifting attitudes towards marriage The number of marriages in South Korea has been consistently declining. While the overall decrease in population may play a role, the most significant factor is the societal shift in the perception of marriage. According to a survey, nearly half of South Koreans consider marriage an option rather than a necessity. Some of the main reasons South Koreans choose to remain unmarried include concerns about raising children, high wedding expenses, and worries about their careers. Demographic implications As more South Koreans choose to marry later in life or not at all, this trend is having a significant impact on the country's demographic landscape. Declining birth rates and increasing life expectancy present challenges for the nation's future, particularly concerning economic productivity and growth.

As of September 2024, the number of newly registered marriages has been recorded at around 15.4 thousand. This year, the highest number was seen in May, with approximately 21 thousand.

According to a survey conducted in South Korea in 2024, nearly 60 percent of male respondents cited financial concerns as the main reason for not getting married. Among female respondents, the primary reasons were not having found the right person and not feeling the need to get married, with 43 percent and 42 percent of responses, respectively. Declining marriage rate In South Korea, the number of registered marriages has been gradually decreasing, having fallen below 200,000 marriages per year. Alongside this decrease in marriages, the country has seen a significant drop in birth rates, having recorded the lowest on record in 2023. Births per woman dropped below one in 2018 and have continued to decline since. Changing roles of women An increasing number of South Korean women are becoming career-driven, prioritizing work over starting a family early. This trend has become evident in South Korea's employment rates. The number of employed women has gradually risen over the years but has remained lower than that of men. Despite this progress, gender inequality in employment and the pay gap continue to be significant issues. Although this number has been declining, many women still leave the workforce after marriage.

In 2023, there were around 14.7 thousand South Korean men and five thousand South Korean women who married a foreign national. The total number of international marriages in South Korea amounted to about 19.7 thousand cases that year, an increase of about three thousand year-on-year.

In 2023, there were around 92.4 thousand divorces in South Korea, showing a slight decrease compared to the previous year. That year, the number of marriages in South Korea amounted to about 193.7 thousand.

According to a survey conducted in South Korea during July 2021, around 65.6 percent of respondents replied that it is good to marry someone from a similar socioeconomic environment if possible. A significant portion of the respondents also replied that they would consider divorce if differences with their partner were to be found after marriage.

In 2023, there were about 19.7 thousand international marriages between South Koreans and foreign nationals, up from around 16.7 thousand in the previous year. The number of international marriages had declined at the start of the decade.

In 2024, South Korean newlyweds spent about 4.4 million South Korean won on a wedding package. A wedding package included pre-wedding studio photography, dress, and makeup.

In 2023, the divorce rate in South Korea was highest for marriages of up to nine years length. The divorce rate tends to decrease over the years from there, but again increases for long term marriages of 30+ years.

In 2023, the divorce rate of South Korean women aged 40 to 44 years was 7.9 divorces per thousand women, which was the highest figure among different age groups. That year, the number of divorces in South Korea decreased slightly compared to the previous year.

In 2024, the average wedding cost in South Korea amounted to around 361.7 million South Korean won. Housing prices accounted for the vast majority of wedding costs. It was followed by household goods and venue costs. Wedding trends in South Korea Couples who are contemplating saying “yes” to their wedding vows also have to take into consideration the preparations for a wedding. The overall costs for a wedding would include the honeymoon, the wedding package, and the wedding venue. A wedding package would consist of the pre-wedding studio photography, as well as the dress and makeup for the occasion. However, statistics show that the number of marriages have declined. For men, the main reason for not getting married is that they could not afford the wedding costs, while women saw no need to get married anymore. Divorces in South Korea As beautiful as weddings can be, if conflicts arise during a marriage, divorce can always be an option. In South Korea, the number of divorces decreased in recent years. The reason for that might be the equally decreasing number of marriages. The marriage duration before a divorce was frequently among married couples either up to four years after the wedding or after 30 years of being together. Even though it has become more socially acceptable not to marry or leave a marriage in South Korea, a significant percentage of the older generation still think that people their age should not divorce, even though there might be a valid reason to do so.

In 2023, the divorce rate in South Korea was 1.8 divorces per 1,000 inhabitants, similar to the previous year. The divorce rate reached its peak in 2003 at about 3.4 divorces per 1,000 people and has been declining since then. Cultural perception of divorce In 2023, a total of approximately 92,400 divorces were recorded in South Korea, demonstrating a consistent decline in divorces over recent years. This decline coincides with a decrease in the overall number of marriages during the same period. Traditionally, divorce was stigmatized in South Korea's patriarchal society. However, as more women enter the workforce and women's rights progress, Korean society has seen a greater acceptance of divorce in recent years. Decline in marriages Over the same period, the number of marriages has also declined across the country. This decline is especially noticeable due to the changing perception of marriage among South Korean women, who are placing less importance on marriage compared to previous generations. A survey conducted in 2023 identified financial constraints and a decreased desire for marriage as the most important reasons for avoiding marriage.

In 2024, the average wedding cost in South Korea amounted to around 297.5 million South Korean won. Housing prices accounted for over 80 percent of wedding costs. It was followed by the gifts for the groom's family and the honeymoon.

Wedding trends in South Korea

Couples who are contemplating saying “yes” to their wedding vows also have to take into consideration the preparations for a wedding. The overall costs for a wedding would include the honeymoon, the wedding package, and the wedding venue. A wedding package would consist of the pre-wedding studio photography, as well as the dress and makeup for the occasion. However, statistics show that the number of marriages have declined. For men, the main reason for not getting married is that they could not afford the wedding costs, while women saw no need to get married anymore.

Divorces in South Korea

As beautiful as weddings can be, if conflicts arise during a marriage, divorce can always be an option. In South Korea, the number of divorces decreased in recent years. The reason for that might be the equally decreasing number of marriages. The marriage duration before a divorce was frequently among married couples either up to four years after the wedding or after 30 years of being together. Even though it has become more socially acceptable not to marry or leave a marriage in South Korea, a significant percentage of the older generation still think that people their age should not divorce, even though there might be a valid reason to do so.

In 2023 first-married couples accounted for about 77.3 percent of all marriages in South Korea. It was followed by the marriage rate of remarried couples in which both members were remarrying.

As of March 2025, there were over 50.1 thousand couples who met through matchmaker company Duo in South Korea and succeeded in getting married. Duo was founded in 1995 and was the first company to provide couple-matching services in the country.

In 2024, the average wedding cost in South Korea amounted to around 361.7 million South Korean won. The majority of wedding costs was for buying new housing for the newlyweds and amounted to about 341 million won. Following that, household goods for the new house as well as the venue accounted for significant parts of the total wedding cost.

In 2023, the divorce rate of South Korean men aged 45 to 49 years was 7.2 divorces per thousand men, which was the highest figure among different age groups. That year, the number of divorces in South Korea decreased slightly compared to the previous year.