According to data released by the National Data Agency on the 19th, the number of marriages in South Korea last year surpassed 240,000, marking an 8.1% increase from the previous year. This is the highest marriage rate increase since 1970, bringing it close to the 2018 pre-pandemic level of 258,000 marriages. Factors contributing to this rise include an increase in the population in their early thirties and a shift in societal attitudes towards marriage. Notably, the proportion of first-time couples where the woman is older than the man has exceeded 20%, a significant cultural shift in this traditionally patriarchal society.

The increase in marriages is attributed to the second baby boom generation's children, who are now entering their prime marrying age in their early thirties. The population statistics reveal that this group numbers approximately 3.5 million, surpassing both those in their late twenties and mid-thirties. In the past year, marriage rates peaked among both men and women in their early thirties, leading experts to consider this demographic change as a pivotal factor in restoring marriage rates to pre-COVID levels after a notable decline during the pandemic.

Additionally, the perception of marriage among South Koreans has significantly improved, with a recent survey showing that 52.5% of respondents aged 13 and older believe marriage is necessary, up from 48.1% in 2018. Among those aged 30-39, the belief in marriage increased more dramatically, signaling a positive shift in attitudes towards this institution. This evolving perception, alongside demographic trends, suggests a complex sociocultural landscape where marriage is once again becoming a desirable milestone for young South Koreans, despite the previous downturn.