The Surprising Increase in Marriages After 12 Years: What Experts Are Concerned About
The marriage rate in South Korea has seen a significant increase for the first time in 12 years. According to the Korean Statistical Office, the country recorded approximately 194,000 couples getting married in 2023, a 1% increase from the previous year. This marks a turning point for South Korea, which has been experiencing a continuous decline in marriage rates since 2011.
Breaking the 12-Year Slump
Over the past 12 years, South Korea has witnessed a consistent decrease in marriage rates. In 2022, the country hit a record low with only 192,000 couples tying the knot. However, things took a positive turn in 2023, as the number of marriages finally saw an upward trend.
Image: Số lượng cặp đôi kết hôn tại Hàn Quốc lần đầu tiên tăng trưởng sau 12 năm (Ảnh minh họa)
An official from the Korean Statistical Office stated, “The increase in the number of marriages in 2023 is partly due to many couples rescheduling their weddings to the second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023 after they were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Additionally, the statistics revealed that the average age of first-time male marriage in South Korea is 34, a 0.3 increase from the previous year and the highest it has ever been. Similarly, the average age of first-time female marriage also reached a new high at 31.5, an increase of 0.2 years. The number of divorces decreased by 0.9% compared to the same period, with a total of 92,000 couples parting ways.
Expert Concerns
Although the increase in marriage rates and decrease in divorce rates is promising, experts in demography remain cautious. They believe that these trends do not necessarily imply an improvement in South Korea’s birth rate, as the financial burden of raising children continues to deter many couples from starting families.
Image: Việc tỷ lệ kết hôn tăng chưa chắc sẽ giúp tổng tỷ suất sinh tại Hàn Quốc được cải thiện (Ảnh minh họa)
According to the latest data released in February 2024, South Korea’s total fertility rate, which represents the average number of children expected to be born to a woman during her lifetime, has reached a record low of 0.65 by the end of 2023.
A survey conducted by the Korean Institute for Health and Social Affairs with 2,000 individuals aged between 19 and 49 revealed that 46% expressed no intention of having children, while only 28.3% stated their readiness to start a family. Among those who are already married, 46.5% expressed thoughts of having children, while 24.7% affirmed their decision not to have children despite being married.
Source: Yonhap, Korea Herald
By providing comprehensive insights into South Korea’s recent marriage trends, it is clear that despite this increase, concerns about the country’s declining birth rate persist. Economic challenges and the rising costs of raising children continue to impact the decisions of many couples. It remains to be seen whether the recent shift in marriage rates will have a lasting effect on South Korea’s birth rate and demographic landscape. For more finance and economic news, visit Business Today.