S. Koreans weigh in on ideal age for marriage in survey

S. Koreans weigh in on ideal age for marriage in survey
SEOUL, May 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korean people think that a 31 year-old man and a
28 year-old woman make the most suitable match to tie the knot, a survey showed
Friday.

According to the poll of some 700 unmarried people between 19 and 39, conducted
by market research firms Trend Monitor Co. and Embrain Co., the respondents said
the ideal marriageable age is 31.3 years for men and 28.6 for women on average.
The margin of error is 3.05 percent.
Data compiled by the National Statistical Office (NSO) showed a similar result.
In 2008, the average age for men and women when they first got married was 31.38
and 28.32, respectively.
The study also demonstrated that over 40 percent of male respondents think
government officials and teachers are ideal jobs for potential spouses, while 30
percent of women said they preferred doctors or lawyers.
In addition, some 80 percent replied that the recent economic recession has to
some extent affected their plans to hold a wedding at some point, the survey
said.
According to the NSO data, the number of marriages in the country dropped by 4.6
percent from 343,600 in 2007 to 327,700 in 2008. The figure had climbed for four
consecutive years since 2004. Would-be couples appear to have delayed their
wedding ceremonies amid the deepening economic downturn.
brk@yna.co.kr
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