Singles seek financial stability in spouses

The level of income and financial stability have become increasingly important factors Korean singles seek in potential marriage partners, due to uncertainties in a tough economy.

Men and women favored civil servants or employees at state-run firms as spouses, while men had heightened expectations of their wife’s income.

The findings are from matchmaking firm Duo's survey of 1,000 single men and women aged 25 to 39 on their idea of "the ideal spouse of 2015."

Civil servants and state-run firm employees have conventionally been professions sought after by women due to the financial stability they offer.

But this year, these professions were also the most-favored job among men for potential wives, a shift from teaching last year.

Men and women wanted their spouses to earn more than last year.

Women wished for their prospective husbands to have an average annual income of 54.17 million won and have assets of 292.79 million won. Each of the figures is 10 percent up from those of last year.

Men hoped their wives would earn 46.31 million won and have 235.39 million won in assets, up 21 percent and 37 percent from last year's figures.

Income jumped from sixth place last year to third this year to be one of the top factors men seek in a potential spouse.

Meanwhile, the ideal wife for men was a woman 164.9 centimeters tall, who earned an average annual income of 46.31 million won, had 235.39 million won in assets, was three to four years younger (than the man), graduated from a four-year university and worked as a civil servant or state-run firm employee.

Women wished to meet a man 177.7 centimeters tall, who earned 54.17 million won a year, had 292.79 million won in assets and was three to four years older (than the woman). The ideal educational background and profession were the same as for the men.