Korean Media: Only 16% of South Koreans Believe Marriage Is Essential!

On July 26, Korean media outlet *Seoul Economic Daily* published an article stating that a survey found the proportion of South Koreans who consider marriage essential has dropped to 16.4%. With rapid changes in family structures, declining marriage rates, and rising numbers of single-person households, there is growing calls for reforming current family policies centered on blood ties and marriage.

A report released by the Korea Women's Development Institute shows that the number of marriages in South Korea declined from around 430,000 in 1996 to approximately 220,000 in 2024. During the same period, the perception that marriage is essential has significantly weakened. In 2006, this proportion stood at 25.7%, but it fell to 16.4% last year.

Household types are becoming increasingly diverse. By last year, the share of single-person households had reached 36.1%. The research team analyzed that these shifts not only indicate a transformation in family structure but also reflect broader changes in personal social networks and overall lifestyles.

The research team pointed out that as family functions weaken, social isolation and loneliness are emerging as new societal risks. They noted that with the decline of traditional family roles in caregiving and emotional support, individuals are increasingly left to face problems alone.

Abroad, loneliness has been recognized as a social issue and measures are being taken to address it. In 2018, the United Kingdom became the world’s first country to appoint a Minister for Loneliness and launched a five-year "Connected Society" initiative. Germany also established a Loneliness Network Committee under the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth, which released a national-level strategy to combat loneliness in 2023.

The research team emphasized that South Korea should not treat social loneliness merely as an individual responsibility but must address it through policy interventions.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1871762605510656/

Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author alone.