A study by Statistics Korea examined how young people in Korea feel about marriage. It found that the percentage of positive views on marriage among young adults aged 19 to 34 decreased significantly between 2013 and 2023, falling from 56.5% to 36.4%, and only 1 in 3 young South Koreans support marriage. Male respondents were generally more supportive of marriage than women, although both genders showed declines in their willingness to marry compared to a decade ago.

A lack of financial resources was the most commonly cited reason for young adults surveyed not getting married, followed by a decreased desire for marriage and concerns about the burden of child-rearing. The survey also revealed an increasing acceptance of cohabitation without marriage and a growing belief that having children out of wedlock is acceptable.

With traditional life milestones such as marriage, having children and owning property becoming less appealing to Generations Y and Z, younger cohorts are prioritising and searching for a sense of stability in a turbulent economic landscape. As rising costs force people to factor out tradition from their decision-making, many view marriage as financially irresponsible which is forcing them to renegotiate their relationship with life milestones.