This study investigates the interplay between economic stability and cultural expectations in shaping marriage decisions among young adults in Korea. Using data from the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study (KLIPS) (2021–2023, N=11,671), random-effects logistic regression reveals that higher wages and job tenure significantly increase the likelihood of marriage, while traditional gender-role attitudes are marginally associated with higher marriage probability. However, men remain substantially less likely to be married than women, underscoring the persistent cultural and structural burden of breadwinner expectations. These findings highlight that Korea’s delayed marriage trends cannot be explained by economic constraints alone but must also account for enduring gender norms. From the perspective of consumer and family economics, delayed marriage has broad implications for financial planning, saving and investment behavior, housing demand, fertility outcomes, and intergenerational resource transfers. By integrating cultural and economic perspectives, this research advances understanding of how demographic changes influence household formation and consumer well-being.

Accepted Oral Presentation