Live together first, marry later? Koreans' views on cohabitation rapidly changing

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A growing number of unmarried couples are choosing to live together before marriage. What was once considered socially taboo is increasingly viewed as a practical way to determine compatibility before making a lifelong commitment.

According to a March survey conducted by Korean research firm Embrain involving 1,050 unmarried men and women aged 19 to 49 nationwide, 79.4 percent of respondents said that cohabitation as part of preparing for marriage is acceptable.

In the past, unmarried couples living together often faced social stigma, even if they were engaged. Many parents strongly opposed premarital cohabitation due to concerns about public opinion and traditional values.

Today, however, attitudes are shifting. More people see cohabitation as a rational step before marriage — a way to avoid rushing into a marriage that could later end in divorce.

The survey showed increasing support for the idea that “living together before marriage is wiser than rushing into marriage.” Agreement with that statement rose steadily; 54.6 percent in 2018, 62.7 percent in 2021 and 67.0 percent in 2026.

The most socially accepted form of cohabitation was “living together with marriage in mind,” supported by 60.9 percent of respondents.

Despite more open attitudes toward premarital cohabitation, many people still remain cautious about choosing cohabitation instead of marriage.

Support for granting cohabiting couples the same legal and social status as married couples declined, with 55.0 percent in 2021 and 44.7 percent in 2026.

Likewise, support for recognizing cohabitation as a legitimate family structure similar to practices in some other countries also fell: 50.4 percent in 2021 and 44.9 percent in 2026.

While 74.8 percent agreed that society needs broader acceptance of diverse family forms — including unmarried couples and single parents — many still believe institutional recognition requires further social debate.

Children may also be born during cohabitation, leading to a rise in nonmarital births.

According to Korea’s Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy, the proportion of babies born outside marriage approached 6 percent in 2024. More than 80 percent of people in their 20s and 30s responded positively toward nonmarital cohabitation.

Experts expect both cohabitation and nonmarital births to continue increasing in Korea.

They argue that although social acceptance is growing, lingering prejudice remains, making further discussion and policy reform necessary — particularly regarding child care, legal protections and support systems for children born outside marriage.

This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.