The rate of unmarried individuals in their 40s has increased nearly sevenfold for men and sixfold for women compared to 20 years ago. Particularly, the employment and university graduate rates for unmarried women were higher than those for women who have been married, while the opposite trend was observed for men.
According to Statistics Korea's publication on the 19th, titled "Social Trends in Korea 2024," the rate of unmarried individuals in their 40s was 23.6% for men and 11.9% for women in 2020. Compared to 2000, 20 years ago, the rate increased 6.7 times for men and 5.7 times for women.
◇ unmarried individuals with positive views on 'cohabitation and childbirth without marriage' are mostly in their 40s
The study noted that "not only has the timing of marriage been delayed, but lifetime unmarried individuals who never marry have increased," adding that "positive perceptions of marriage among unmarried individuals are on the decline, and the intention to marry is higher as education, economic, and health conditions improve."
The rate of university graduates and employment among unmarried men was lower compared to married men. However, for women, the reverse was true, with higher rates among unmarried individuals.
The proportion of unmarried individuals who view marriage positively decreased from those in their 20s to those in their 40s. Additionally, attitudes toward 'cohabitation without marriage' and 'childbirth without marriage' showed little difference between the perspectives of unmarried and previously married individuals (including those divorced or widowed) in their 20s and 30s, but unmarried individuals in their 40s were more positive.
Among unmarried individuals aged 19~34, the intention to marry was higher among men than women. As of 2022, the percentage of respondents indicating an intention to marry was 80.2% for men in their 20s and 71.1% for women. In their 30s, it was 80% for men and 72.5% for women.
◇ 150,000 'young caregivers'... 41% of them also provide financial support
More than 150,000 young people are primarily responsible for 'family care.' As of 2020, the percentage of young people aged 13~34 who primarily handle caregiving within the household, termed 'young caregivers,' reached 1.3% (153,044 individuals). The largest group was aged 25~34 (55.1%), with 13~18-year-olds accounting for 16%. Caring for mothers was the most common, at over 30%.
Of these young individuals, 41.2% were responsible not only for direct caregiving but also for providing financial support. Among young caregivers, 26.1% were aged 13~18, and 51.3% were aged 19~34. Of these, 22.1% were dissatisfied with life, and 61.5% were evaluated as experiencing depression (scoring 16 or higher on a depression scale).
It was also found that young people feel gender conflict is severe. More than 40% of young people in their 20s and 30s said that gender conflict in our society is serious. Gender differences also appeared in important life elements. Among young people aged 19~34, men considered romance, marriage, childbirth, and child-rearing more important, while women placed greater importance on contributing to society. Young women worried more than men about threats to safety or climate crises.
◇ by 2040, elderly households are expected to become a 'major household type'
Meanwhile, the number of employed middle-aged individuals continues to rise. As of last year, the number of employed middle-aged individuals aged 40~64 was 15.64 million, an increase of 3.01 million from 12.63 million in 2010. The increase was mostly among those aged 50 and older.
For middle-aged women, employment in the institutional sector, such as residential and non-residential welfare facilities and medical institutions, increased over the past 10 years (2014~2023). For men, the spread of the platform economy led to an increase in parcel delivery workers.
As aging intensifies, households headed by individuals aged 65 and over are expected to continue increasing. Elderly households are projected to rise from 24.1% in 2022 to 43.1% in 2040, becoming a major household type in the future.
Additionally, this social trend report covered research indicating that since 2000, interregional population imbalance has been a more significant factor than 'birth' due to 'interregional (non-capital to capital) population movement.' Since the 2000s, the concentration of population in the capital region has accelerated, with the capital region's share of the total population exceeding 50.7% around 2015. The study noted that "the movement of those in their 20s and 30s is influenced by life course demands such as education, employment, family formation, housing, family expansion, and settlement."