"Korean Men Can't Marry Without Money"

Difference in Marriage Rates Between Bottom 10% and Top 10% Income Brackets
Marriage Rate Gap by Income in Late 30s to Early-Mid 40s

A study has found that in South Korea, higher male income is associated with increased marriage rates, while men with lower incomes tend to delay marriage or remain unmarried. This research suggests that Korea's low birthrate is related not only to women's social and economic circumstances but also to men's delayed marriage.

On the 14th, the Korea Labor Institute analyzed the correlation between male income levels and marriage rates in its report titled "Dynamic Analysis of Labor and Childbirth Intentions," noting that studies on men's delayed marriage are scarce.

To exclude variables caused by COVID-19, the report used statistics from 2017 to 2019, with 2019 as the most recent year analyzed.

(This photo is not directly related to the article) [Photo by Pixabay]

According to the report, the marriage rate?defined as the proportion of men who have ever been married?increased with income level across all age groups. The difference in marriage rates by income level was particularly pronounced among those aged 40 and above.

For men in their late 20s (ages 26?30), the marriage experience rate was 8% in the lowest 10% income bracket (1st decile), compared to 29% in the highest 10% income bracket (10th decile). This gap widened in the early to mid-30s (ages 31?35), with 31% in the lowest 10% versus 76% in the highest 10%.

Notably, among men in their late 30s (ages 36?40), only 47% of those in the lowest 10% income bracket had marriage experience, whereas 91% of those in the highest 10% had, marking a 44 percentage point gap.

For men in their early to mid-40s (ages 41?45), the marriage rate was 58% in the lowest 10% income group, compared to 96% in the highest 10%. Among men in their late 40s (ages 46?50), the marriage experience rate was 73% for the lowest 10% income group and 98% for the highest 10%.

The study found that high-income men’s marriage rates increased sharply after their late 30s, while low-income men were more likely to remain unmarried.

In particular, as wage inequality among men increases, the number of men whose income falls below the level necessary for marriage rises, thereby reducing the likelihood of marriage.

Kwack Eun-hye, the associate researcher who authored the report, stated, “Although the average economic power of men has improved compared to the past, marriage rates are declining. This study suggests that policy attention to male income inequality and distribution issues could help address the low birthrate problem.”