South Korea recorded 21,399 multicultural marriages in 2025, a marginal decline of 0.2 per cent (down 51 from 21,450 in 2024), according to data released on Thursday by the country's Ministry of Data and Statistics. These cross-border unions accounted for 8.9 per cent of all marriages registered in the country, reflecting a slight softening in a trend that has steadily shaped South Korea's demographic landscape over the past decade.

Breakdown of Multicultural Marriages

Marriages involving foreign wives dominated the category, making up 71.4 per cent of all multicultural marriages. Those with foreign husbands accounted for 18.9 per cent, while unions with naturalised citizens comprised the remaining 9.7 per cent. The average age at first marriage stood at 37.1 years for husbands and 29.7 years for wives — a notable gap.

Husbands were older than their wives in 75.2 per cent of multicultural marriages, and in 36.1 per cent of cases, the husband was at least 10 years older. Among foreign wives, Vietnamese nationals led at 25.3 per cent, followed by Chinese at 15.1 per cent and Thai at 9.2 per cent. Among foreign husbands, nationals from the United States topped the list at 6.8 per cent, ahead of China at 5.6 per cent and Vietnam at 3.6 per cent.

Divorces Rise, Births Dip

Even as new marriages edged lower, divorces among multicultural couples rose 1.4 per cent year-on-year to 8,104 in 2025. The number of babies born to multicultural families also fell slightly, down 0.5 per cent to 13,347. These figures suggest that while multicultural unions remain a significant feature of South Korea's social fabric, pressures on family stability and birth rates mirror broader national trends.

Migrant Population Grows to 2.81 Million

Separately, data released earlier this week showed that the share of people with migrant backgrounds in South Korea rose to 5.4 per cent in 2025, up from the previous year. The total migrant-background population reached 2.81 million, compared with 2.71 million a year earlier, against a total national population of 51.82 million. Those in their 20s led the year-on-year gains.

Foreign nationals accounted for 75.1 per cent of this migrant-background group, with second-generation immigrants at 14.1 per cent and naturalised citizens or those recognised through parentage at 9.1 per cent. The Ministry defines those with a migrant background as individuals who are immigrants themselves or have at least one parent born overseas.

Tourism Boom Provides Wider Context

This comes amid a broader surge in South Korea's global connectedness. In October, the country's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that foreign tourist arrivals had already surpassed the previous all-time annual record of 18.94 million, reaching approximately 18.91 million by 26 October — with over two months still left in the year. Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young said the government's target of 23 million visitors was now 'within reach.' Foreign visitors' spending jumped 47.7 per cent from a year earlier, driven by shopping, accommodation, and medical and wellness services.

The government attributed the tourism surge to the global popularity of South Korean pop culture, industry innovation, and public hospitality. Growth has also spread beyond Seoul, with more visitors arriving via regional airports and ports — a trend Minister Chae described as 'very encouraging.' With multicultural marriages, migrant populations, and international arrivals all registering meaningful movement, South Korea's demographic and social integration story is set to remain a closely watched data point in the months ahead.