Reasons for not getting married South Korea 2024, by gender

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.