South Korea offers financial incentives to encourage marriage, but high living costs and shifting social attitudes keep rates low. In contrast, North Korea strictly controls divorce, punishing separations with labour camps and social stigma. These policies highlight the stark differences in government influence over family life.read more

South Korea and North Korea present contrasting trends in marriage and divorce practices, reflecting their distinct societal and governmental influences.

South Korea is struggling to boost marriage rates despite financial incentives. This is due to high living costs and changing social norms, which deter couples.

Meanwhile, North Korea enforces strict divorce laws, punishing separations with labour camps and societal stigma.

These contrasting policies reflect the differing levels of governmental control over family life in both nations.

South Korea implements financial incentives

Despite South Korea’s implementation of financial incentives to encourage marriage and address its declining birth rate, these measures have seen limited success, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.

According to the report, the district of Saha-gu in Busan introduced a programme offering up to $64,000 to couples who marry and have children, encompassing cash rewards and housing subsidies. However, participation rates have remained low.

Similarly, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced plans to provide newlywed couples with one million won (approximately $930) starting from October 2025 to assist with purchasing household items. Despite these efforts, challenges such as high living costs, demanding work schedules, and evolving societal attitudes towards marriage and family life continue to deter many South Koreans from marrying.

South Korea: Declining marriage rates

In South Korea, marriage rates have significantly decreased over the past decade. In 2023, approximately 193,657 couples married, marking one of the lowest figures since 1981.

This decline is attributed to factors such as rising living costs, demanding work schedules, and evolving cultural perceptions that view marriage as non-essential. Government initiatives, including financial incentives and matchmaking events, have been introduced to counteract this trend but have seen limited success.

North Korea: Stringent divorce policies

Conversely, North Korea enforces strict regulations on divorce. According to recent reports, couples seeking divorce may be sentenced to labour camps for up to six months, with women potentially facing longer sentences.

North Korea views divorce as “anti-socialist” behaviour and considers it “abnormal.” Societal stigma, especially towards women, further discourages it. Additionally, individuals who divorce receive new identification cards marked with their marital status, perpetuating societal discrimination.

This punitive approach aims to deter marital separations, especially following an increase in divorces since 2020 due to economic hardships exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, divorced individuals face societal stigma, and children from these families may experience discrimination, such as ostracisation by peers and neglect by educators. These measures reflect the regime’s emphasis on maintaining family unity as a cornerstone of its socialist ideology.