Factors delaying marriage in Korea: an analysis of the Korean population census data for 1990–2010

ABSTRACT The Korean total fertility rate is one of the lowest in the world. This study assesses a broad range of factors associated with delayed first marriages, an important determinant of low fertility, using the Korean Population Census 2 per cent sample from 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010 and other data sources. Using a multivariate logistic regression, we examine the probability of ever being married for men and women aged 30–34 and 35–39 for different years. We find that women with higher education delay marriage compared to those with a high school degree. Highly educated men marry earlier than men with high school or less education, particularly those aged 35–39. The strongest gender effect occurs among those working in agriculture, a declining industry in Korea. Men working in agriculture are much less likely to marry by age 40, but women marry earlier. In 2005 and 2010, men working in stable, high-paying industries marry earlier, with similar effects for women aged 30–34. Finally, several regional characteristics are associated with delayed marriage including higher housing prices, higher income for women, lower unemployment rate for young women, and higher income inequality, lower income, and higher unemployment rate for men.