Key facts
- 81.4% of young South Koreans are interested in marriage, versus 57.6% of young Japanese singles.
- 18.6% of South Koreans and 42.4% of Japanese respondents are not interested in marriage.
- Two children is the ideal number for the majority of respondents in both countries.
- Employment and income stability are the top conditions for marriage in both South Korea and Japan.
Young unmarried individuals in South Korea are more inclined towards marriage and more likely to have romantic partners compared to their counterparts in Japan, according to a recent survey examining attitudes towards declining birth rates in both nations. The poll, conducted between June and July among 2,000 South Koreans and 2,000 Japanese aged 20 to 39, found that 81.4% of South Koreans expressed interest in marriage, while only 57.6% of Japanese singles shared this sentiment.
Further analysis of the survey data revealed that 18.6% of South Koreans and a significantly higher 42.4% of Japanese respondents indicated no interest in ever getting married. When considering the ideal number of children, two was the most popular choice for both countries, with 52.6% of South Koreans and 28.9% of Japanese favoring this number. Employment and income stability were identified as the primary conditions for marriage, cited by 51.8% of South Koreans and 41.1% of Japanese participants.
The survey was commissioned by a bilateral committee focused on promoting regional growth and addressing low birth rates and aging societies. This committee was established following a South Korea-Japan summit last year and is co-chaired by the heads of each country's Chamber of Commerce & Industry.