Marriages in Korea are increasingly involving older wives, with women older than their husbands in 20.2 percent of first marriages last year. The share has climbed steadily from 14.9 percent in 2010, while marriages with older husbands have declined over the past 15 years. The trend is linked to weakening age norms, more dual-income preferences, and greater acceptance from families.
A bridal shop at a wedding venue in Seoul / Yonhap
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Marriages between younger Korean men and older Korean women accounted for just over 20 percent of first marriages last year, meaning roughly 1 in 5 couples consisted of a wife who was older than the husband.
The share of couples with an older husband, meanwhile, continues to decline annually. Over the past 15 years, it fell by 6.1 percentage points, while the proportion of couples with an older wife rose by 5.3 percentage points. Older wives are even more common among remarried couples.
