Korean dramas often conclude with marriage and, sometimes, family formation. Traditionally, marriage has been considered essential before having children.
However, the South Korean government is encouraging a shift in perspective, suggesting that marriage isn’t a mandatory precursor to parenthood.
reported this week that a study by the Korea Women’s Development Institute, commissioned by the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy, revealed a significant increase in approval for non-marital childbirth among South Koreans in their 20s and 30s between 2008 and 2024.
Support among women in their 20s for childbirth outside of marriage increased from 28.4% in 2008 to 42.4% last year. For women in their 30s, it rose from 23.9% to 40.7% during the same period. A similar trend was observed among men: in 2008, 32.4% of men in their 20s and 28.7% of men in their 30s approved of childbirth out of wedlock, while 43.1% and 43.3% of the respective male age groups approved in 2024.
The government is clearly embracing this change in attitude, as it grapples with boosting its fertility rate. While the rate increased slightly last year, it remains the lowest in the world at 0.75 children per woman.
Why fertility rate matters
South Korea has one of the world’s most rapidly aging populations. By the end of 2024, over 20% of its 51 million citizens were 65 or older, officially making it an aged society.
A fertility rate of 2.1 is needed to maintain a stable population across generations without immigration. Persistently low rates can lead to a shrinking workforce, slower economic growth, and increased pressure on social security and pension systems. To support the economy, many of South Korea’s .
What South Korea has done to try to boost births
Over the years, particularly under President Yoon Suk-yeol, South Korea has implemented various measures to address its demographic crisis, ranging from to to even considering for parents.
Yoon, a proponent of higher birth rates who has for the low fertility rate, declared a “” in June 2024 and introduced policies designed to encourage families to have children, addressing concerns about the high cost of living. These plans included a new tasked with developing these policies, although it didn’t materialize before his departure.
How marriage relates—and doesn’t—to birth rates
South Korea’s marriage rate actually in 2024, with 14.8% more couples marrying compared to the previous year. However, this doesn’t guarantee more births, as women, , are choosing to have fewer children, regardless of marital status.
Population experts suggest that simply pushing for marriage might not solve the low fertility issue. Instead, addressing the “” may require broader societal changes. In South Korea, the traditional family structure could be one such norm that needs to evolve.
Why perceptions are changing
Childbirth outside of marriage remains relatively uncommon in South Korea. A small percentage of were born to unmarried women or those in civil partnerships. While this number has been increasing since 2018, it’s still significantly lower than in developed countries (members of the OECD).
Deep-seated who have children outside of marriage have contributed to this low figure. The term is sometimes used as an insult towards children born out of wedlock.
“It is just desired tradition/belief with inherited Confucian culture mostly on the female duty and role,” says Youngmi Kim, a senior lecturer of Korean Studies at the University of Edinburgh.
However, these perceptions are evolving, particularly since Yoon’s administration introduced catering to single parents as part of its effort to increase birth rates. Greater visibility, including having children out of wedlock, has also contributed to this shift.
The Presidential Committee released on May 20 a study on public awareness of South Korea’s population problem, as well as perceptions on marriage and childbirth. The study, conducted last March, indicated an increasing willingness among unmarried individuals to have children. Joo Hyung-hwan, vice chair of the committee, described the latest statistics as “encouraging” in a press release, adding that the committee will “provide support to all those who want a child by improving the discriminatory factors and institutional deficiencies of non-marital births.”
The Yoon Administration that South Korea’s fertility-boosting policies needed to be more inclusive of individuals who had or wanted children but did not wish to marry. However, as South Korea prepares for a snap election for a new leader in June, leading presidential candidates on policies such as housing support for newlyweds.
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