Multicultural Marriages Reach Post-Pandemic High in Korea
The number of multicultural marriages in Korea reached its highest level since before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics. Births among multicultural families also rose for the first time in 12 years.
Rise in Marriages and Births
In the latest report, the ministry recorded 21,450 multicultural marriages last year, marking an increase of 1,019 cases, or about 5 percent, from the previous year. The number had steadily climbed since 2016, peaking at 24,721 in 2019 before the pandemic caused a steep drop.
Following a sharp decline to 16,177 in 2020 and 13,916 in 2021, the figure has been gradually recovering and surpassed 20,000 in 2023. Births among multicultural parents also rose by more than 1,000 compared to the previous year, marking the first rise in over a decade.
Government Support and Changing Trends
The ministry attributed this recovery to two main factors: renewed demand for international marriages that had been limited during the pandemic, and expanded government support programs aimed at helping multicultural and mixed-nationality families.
“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,” said a ministry official.
National Marriage Patterns
Overall, total marriages across the country increased by 14.8 percent year-on-year, reaching about 222,000 in 2024 — a much faster pace than the growth seen among multicultural unions.
Key Figures
- Multicultural marriages in 2024: 21,450 (up 5% from previous year)
- Peak before pandemic: 24,721 marriages in 2019
- Lowest level during pandemic: 13,916 in 2021
- Total Korean marriages in 2024: approximately 222,000 (up 14.8%)
Author’s Summary
South Korea sees a strong rebound in multicultural marriages and births after pandemic lows, signaling renewed global connectivity and effective family support policies.