[The Cry of 2030] After COVID-19, Blind Dates Plummet... The 3-Po Generation More Discouraged About Dating and Marriage

"With social distancing due to COVID-19, it's become difficult to meet friends, and meeting complete strangers feels burdensome."

Lee Sang-ho (33, pseudonym), an office worker at a large corporation, has not had a girlfriend for two years. While he does not attribute it solely to COVID-19, there are simply no opportunities to meet new romantic interests. Lee said, "Family pressure to get married remains, but even blind dates, which used to happen occasionally, have dried up due to COVID-19," adding, "I don't know how long COVID-19 will last, but dating has become distant, let alone marriage."

As COVID-19 spread and face-to-face meetings decreased, concerns have arisen about a potential "dating and marriage cliff." This environment is especially discouraging for the so-called "3-po generation," who have already given up many things such as dating, marriage, and home purchases due to social and economic pressures. Bae Hyung-jin (32), an office worker, said, "Because of the fear of infection, introducing people or meeting new people is burdensome," adding, "Among acquaintances, the number of singles has increased quite a bit, but everyone struggles to meet new connections. It seems like a 'marriage cliff' is forming among our age group."

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, 8 out of 10 unmarried men and women have had no opportunity to meet new partners. According to a survey conducted by Professor Choi Seul-gi’s team at the KDI School of International Policy and Management, which surveyed 602 unmarried men and women aged 25 to 49, 78.1% of respondents reported that they had not met or been introduced to a new romantic interest in the year since February of last year. About 32% of respondents said that compared to before COVID-19, the frequency of meeting or being introduced to new people had "significantly decreased."

Among 306 men and women currently in relationships, 28.4% said they had "no intention to marry." Of the 153 respondents who said they intended to marry, 27.5% said, "I plan to postpone marriage because of COVID-19." Professor Choi said, "Due to immediate income reductions and uncertain future prospects caused by COVID-19, the tendency to avoid marriage may strengthen."