South Korea is taking bold steps to combat its record-low birth rate by offering financial incentives for couples to get married. Various regional governments across the country have introduced programs that provide cash payments and housing support to encourage young people to settle down and start families.
Government Incentives for Marriage
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is launching a new initiative starting in late 2025, where newly registered couples will receive a one-time cash benefit of 1 million Korean won. This initiative is designed to ease the financial burden of starting a new life together, especially for young couples.
Other areas, including Gyeonggi Province, are implementing similar plans, targeting people in their 20s and 30s. Some rural areas have even more aggressive offers, with local governments promising up to 10 million won for couples willing to live and marry in less populated regions, with the payments spread over several years.
In Busan’s Saha District, incentives go even further—offering staged payments for dating, engagement, and marriage, in addition to rental subsidies or housing deposits for up to five years.
Addressing a National Crisis
South Korea’s efforts come amid a demographic crisis. The country’s fertility rate is among the lowest in the world, and marriage rates have been steadily declining. While cash incentives may help, experts argue they only scratch the surface of deeper cultural and economic barriers such as high housing costs, job insecurity, and gender inequality in family roles.
Nonetheless, these policies represent a significant investment in changing social dynamics, and local authorities are hopeful they will provide a boost to both marriage and birth rates in the coming years.
