South Korea Temple Dating Retreat Forms 8 Couples From 24 Singles as Birth Rate Stays Near 1.0
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 10
South Korea Temple Dating Retreat Forms 8 Couples From 24 Singles as Birth Rate Stays Near 1.0
1 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 10
Summary
Eight couples emerged from a 30-hour Buddhist temple dating retreat in Palgongsan, where 24 participants were matched through walks, meals, speed dating and final texted choices.
More than 1,600 people applied for the event, reflecting how many young South Koreans say high housing costs, work routines and weak dating networks make it hard to meet partners.
Donghwasa Temple framed the retreat as part of a national response to ultra-low fertility after South Korea's total fertility rate hit 0.72 in 2023, far below the 2.1 replacement level.
Authorities have spent about $250 billion on pro-birth policies since 2006, and local governments now back matchmaking events as births show a modest rebound toward 1.0 child per woman this year.
Officials say that uptick may owe more to delayed pandemic weddings and demographics than policy alone, though a March survey found unmarried people nearly 10% more favorable toward marriage and children than two years earlier.