South Korea continues to face demographic challenges; According to this, it is struggling with declining marriage and birth rates. BBCAlthough private marriage services are on the rise, marriage rates in South Korea are at a record low, forcing the government to take action.
according to news reportIn 2023, there will be 40% fewer marriages in South Korea than a decade ago; The trend here is to delay or postpone marriage. Also, South Korea’s total fertility rate, which reflects the average number of children a woman will have over her lifetime, reached an all-time low of only 0.72; This is also the lowest rate in the world.
Experts cite several reasons for such statistics, such as the long working hours associated with South Korea. The average worker in South Korea worked the longest hours in the world in 2017, after Mexico. Work-life balance is poor, and there is very expensive child care as well as excessive housing that prevents many people from either starting families or getting back to work. After delivery.
In response to these negative demographic trends, the South Korean government has launched a series of speed dating programs in hopes of encouraging marriage and addressing the country’s low fertility rates. Government-sponsored matchmaking programs are part of a broader effort to deal with the country’s declining population and the social challenges that come with it.
according to a 2023 Bloomberg report, The city of Seongnam has taken on the role of matchmaker in response to South Korea’s fertility crisis. Led by Mayor Shin Sang-jin, the city government-run dating programs are a key part of a larger initiative aimed at tackling the country’s declining birth rate.
Under the guidance of a dating coach, participants selected from over 2,500 eligible applicants played games and engaged in rounds of speed dating in balloon-filled rooms. Wine, chocolates and a free makeup station were provided by the city at each event. Due to popular demand, the city is now considering expanding the program. Shin’s initiative has attracted global attention for its bold—if somewhat controversial—approach to the fertility crisis facing many countries.
Korea’s capital, Seoul, has also considered hosting its own matchmaking programs, although officials there shelved the idea after criticism that such programs fail to address the root causes of the fertility challenge.
