A Japanese government survey found that for the first time, less than 80% of single people aged 18-34 intend to marry. Meanwhile, married couples plan to have fewer than two children on average due to concerns over high child-rearing costs.
On 11 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Japan's National Institute of Population and Social Security Research released its National Fertility Survey results, revealing that the proportion of young singles intending to marry in the future has fallen below 80% for the first time since the survey began.
Conducted in June 2025 GMT+7, the survey involved over 11,000 singles and married couples. Among singles aged 18-34, the percentage of men who saw no benefit in marriage rose from 35.3% to 42.8%, while women increased from 28.3% to 36%.
Among single men intending to marry, the figure dropped from 81.4% to 75.1%, and among women from 84.3% to 77.8%, pushing the overall intention rate below 80% for both genders for the first time. When asked why they planned to have fewer children than desired, 52.9% cited high child-rearing and education costs, while 35% said they did not want children as they aged.
Partner meeting patterns have also changed. Among those marrying for the first time in the 2020s, 20.2% met their spouse online or through dating apps, nearly doubling from the previous survey's 11%. The survey also reflects attitudes toward childbearing amid the ongoing decline in birth rates.
The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research stated it will further analyze reasons behind the declining desire to marry and why couples plan fewer children than they want. This data will support government measures to address population and birth rate declines.
Source: NHK