Global Love Report – January 22nd, 2025
English summary by Margaret Wuwur
Rise of Matchmaking Agencies in South Korea
South Korea’s matchmaking industry is experiencing significant growth, with nearly 1,000 agencies operating nationwide in 2024. These agencies have reported a remarkable 30% increase in business over recent years, particularly among young singles.
The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a significant catalyst for this growth, fundamentally changing how people form connections. With limited face-to-face social opportunities during that period, many turned to matchmaking agencies as a reliable way to meet potential partners. The success stories from these “COVID-era clients” have helped transform public perception of matchmaking services.
South Korean matchmaking agencies provide comprehensive services, overseeing every aspect of their clients’ first dates. The process begins with detailed profiling, where clients share information about their age, occupation, financial assets, and family background. Clients are then ranked according to specific criteria—with professionals such as doctors and lawyers typically receiving top rankings, followed by employees of major corporations.
Government-Sponsored Matchmaking Events
Following the success of matchmaking agencies, there has been an increase in government-sponsored matchmaking events in South Korea. Several challenges have prompted the government to get involved in organizing these events. Recent data reveals a stark decline in marriage rates, showing a 40% drop since 2013, while the country’s fertility rate has plummeted to a world-record low of 0.72 children per woman.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) suggests that a rate of 2.1 is needed for stable population growth.
Several key factors have contributed to these declining numbers:
- Long working hours (the second highest globally after Mexico)
- Poor work-life balance
- High housing costs
- Expensive childcare and challenges for women returning to work post-pregnancy
In response to these challenges, the South Korean government has taken an active role in organizing matchmaking events. A notable example is found in the city of Seongnam, southeast of Seoul, which has hosted seven successful matchmaking events in just one year. These events have proven extremely popular, with demand far exceeding capacity—six applicants competing for each available spot.
The government-organized events maintain a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere, bringing together 100 selected singles aged 27 to 39 for social activities at local pubs. Through carefully planned ice-breakers and guided conversations, participants are encouraged to form genuine connections. This initiative has shown promising results, achieving a 43% match rate and leading to two successful marriages.
Perspective and Social Dynamics
While South Korea’s matchmaking industry is growing rapidly, it faces several key challenges. On the matchmaking agency side, many people are uncertain about these services’ effectiveness.
The cost is another consideration when seeking these services, with matchmaking agencies in South Korea charging between US$1,400 to US$7,000.
While government-sponsored matchmaking events have shown some success, they remain a topic of debate. Critics argue the government should focus on more practical issues, such as supporting working mothers and addressing living costs. Meanwhile, many young professionals are choosing to prioritize career growth before considering marriage.
Originally published by: BBC News
