Increase in South Koreans Viewing Marriage as Essential in 2024: Government Report

Synopsis

A government report reveals that the number of South Koreans who view marriage as essential has increased in 2024, showing a shift in societal perceptions amidst ongoing demographic challenges. Improved views on marriage and parenthood among the youth are believed to be contributing to this trend.

Key Takeaways

52.5% of South Koreans consider marriage essential in 2024.
14.9% increase in marriages recorded last year.
Total fertility rate rose to 0.75.
238,300 newborns registered, a 3.6% rise.
Government aims for a fertility rate of 1 by 2030.

Seoul, March 25 (NationPress) A recent government report indicates that the percentage of South Koreans who regard marriage as a fundamental necessity has risen over the past year. This shift in perspective is noted in a country facing a demographic crisis, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.

According to the biennial social survey, 52.5 percent of South Koreans aged 13 and older believe that marriage is essential in 2024, reflecting a 2.5 percentage-point increase compared to two years prior. This figure has been generally declining since 2010, with only a slight rise observed in 2020.

The report further revealed that 68.4 percent of participants feel that having children is a necessary aspect following marriage, which represents a 3.1 percentage-point increase from two years ago.

Additional data highlighted that last year, 222,422 couples entered into marriage, representing a significant 14.9 percent increase from the previous year, marking the largest annual growth since the statistics were first tracked in 1981.

In 2024, there was a rise in the number of newborns for the first time in nine years. The total fertility rate, which indicates the average number of children a woman is expected to have throughout her life, also saw an increase, climbing from 0.72 to 0.75.

The agency attributed the improved perceptions of marriage and parenthood among younger generations as key factors contributing to the uptick in birth rates.

Statistics Korea reported that a total of 238,300 babies were born last year, marking a 3.6 percent increase from the previous record low of 230,000 in 2023. This number has been on a decline since 2015 when it peaked at 438,400.

Despite these improvements, South Korea's fertility rate remains among the lowest worldwide, approximately half that of the average across member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Since 2018, South Korea has been the only OECD member with a fertility rate below 1. Furthermore, it significantly falls short of the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman, which is crucial for maintaining a stable population without immigration. The government has set a goal to increase this rate to 1 by 2030.