Multicultural Marriages Reach Post-Pandemic Peak in Korea
The number of multicultural marriages in Korea last year rose to its highest level since before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics.
Rise in Births from Multicultural Families
Births from parents in multicultural marriages increased by over 1,000 compared to the previous year, marking the first growth in 12 years.
Factors Behind the Growth
The ministry attributed this growth to a rebound in international marriage demand, which had been restrained during the pandemic, along with strengthened government family support benefiting multicultural families.
Marriage Statistics Over Recent Years
- Multicultural marriages totaled 21,450 last year, up 1,019 (5%) from the year before.
- Numbers steadily increased since 2016, reaching 24,721 in 2019, before dropping sharply to 16,177 in 2020 at the pandemic's onset.
- The figures declined further to 13,916 in 2021 but have been recovering gradually, exceeding 20,000 in 2023.
“The increase likely stems from a resurgence in international marriage demand that had been suppressed during the pandemic, coupled with greater stability in the residency status of foreign workers in Korea,” a ministry official said.
Overall Marriage Trends
Total marriages nationwide rose 14.8% year-on-year to 222,000 in 2024, outpacing the increase seen in multicultural marriages.
Author’s summary: Multicultural marriages and births in Korea have rebounded post-pandemic, reflecting renewed international ties and supportive government policies.