South Korea Sees Marriage Bump for First Time in Over a Decade
In a notable shift, South Korea experienced its first annual increase in marriages in more than ten years, with data revealing nearly 194,000 unions in 2023. This development comes as a break from a longstanding downward trend in marriage rates within the country.
By the Numbers:
Marriages in 2023: 193,657, marking a 1% rise from the previous year.
International Unions: There was a significant 18.3% increase in marriages between South Korean nationals and foreign partners, totaling about 20,000 last year.
Behind the Numbers: Officials attribute this uptick to the easing of COVID-19-related social restrictions, which had previously caused many couples to postpone their wedding plans. This resurgence suggests a rebound from pandemic-era delays.
A Broader Trend: Despite last year's increase, South Korea has witnessed a steep decline in marriage rates over the past three decades, from over 400,000 in 1996 to under 200,000 in 2021. This decline has been paralleled by a falling birth rate, now the lowest globally, with births plummeting from just under 400,000 in 2017 to a record low of 229,970 in 2023.
Regional Insights: Recent data points to a disparity in marriage ages across the country, with Seoul residents marrying later than their counterparts in other regions. High living and housing costs in the capital are speculated to contribute to this trend.
Seoul's First Marriage Ages: Men at 34.4 years and women at 32.4 years.
National Averages: 34 years for men and 31.5 years for women.
Regions with Lower Marriage Ages: North Chungcheong Province and Ulsan city for men, and North Chungcheong and South Jeolla provinces for women.
Looking Forward: The average age for first marriages in South Korea has been steadily increasing over the past decade. This year's slight increase in marriage rates could signal a hope in social attitudes post-pandemic, though the long-term trends in marriage and birth rates continue to pose challenges.
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