Young South Koreans more upbeat on marriage than Japanese, poll finds

A recent survey reveals a stark contrast in the desire for marriage between young South Koreans and Japanese, with 81.4 percent of South Korean respondents expressing interest, compared to just 57.6 percent of their Japanese counterparts. The poll, conducted among 2,000 individuals aged 20 to 39 in both countries, was commissioned by a bilateral committee tasked with promoting regional growth and addressing low birth rates and aging societies.

Formed following a South Korea-Japan summit, the committee is co-led by the respective Chambers of Commerce & Industry.

The survey found that 18.6 percent of South Koreans had no desire to ever get married, a stark contrast to 42.4 percent of Japanese respondents with the same sentiment. In terms of the ideal number of children, 52.6 percent of South Koreans preferred two children, followed by 17 percent who favored one, and a smaller 7.3 percent who desired three or more.

Among Japanese, the preference was slightly different, with 28.9 percent opting for two children, 12.2 percent advocating for three or more, and 9.4 percent who preferred one. When considering conditions for marriage, the most popular answer among South Koreans was the employment and income stability of both the individual and their spouse, cited by 51.8 percent of respondents.

Japanese respondents also prioritized this factor, with 41.1 percent expressing a similar preference.