The Impact of Individual Achievement Resources on Income Homogamy: Gendered Patterns and Policy Implications

Background and Purpose:

Young adults in South Korea are often referred to as the "N-po generation," having given up on major life goals such as housing, childbirth, and marriage. Declining marriage rates and ultra-low fertility are emerging as pressing structural issues, and one contributing factor is the rise of assortative mating based on socioeconomic status—particularly homogamy. South Korea has one of the lowest levels of income homogamy among OECD countries, due in part to a compensatory household income structure in which women in lower-income households are more likely to work, while women in higher-income households tend not to. However, as women’s labor market participation continues to increase, the correlation between spouses’ incomes has shifted from negative to positive, suggesting a growing trend toward income homogamy. This study aims to analyze how individual achievement resources influence income homogamy, with a specific focus on gender differences in South Korea.

Methods:

Using data from the Korean Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS) from 2006 to 2023, this study examined a sample of 300 married couples with available income data at the time of marriage. Income was categorized into four levels based on national income distribution. Couples were coded as “homogamous” if both spouses fell into the same income category. Independent variables included income level, education, employment type, occupational status, and housing conditions. Separate binary logistic regressions were conducted for men and women.

Results:

For women, higher income levels significantly increased the likelihood of income homogamy. Compared to women in the lowest income group, the odds ratios were 3.59 (p = .032) for the 51–100% group, 4.48 (p = .004) for the 101–150% group, and 19.48 (p = .000) for the top income group. Additionally, women living in one-room housing had 3.80 times higher odds of income homogamy (p = .011).

In contrast, men's income levels were not significantly associated with income homogamy. However, men in managerial or professional occupations were 2.71 times more likely to marry a spouse in the same income bracket (p = .002), and those living in one-room housing had 2.61 times higher odds (p = .018), suggesting that occupational status and lifestyle factors are more influential for men.

Conclusions and Implications:

The formation of income homogamy reveals clear gender differences. High-income women showed a strong tendency to marry partners with similar economic status, indicating that women’s economic achievement is becoming a key criterion in partner selection. In contrast, men were more influenced by occupational status and lifestyle factors than by income level.

Additionally, individuals living in one-room housing were more likely to form income-homogamous marriages, suggesting that young adults with limited parental support may prioritize economic similarity due to constraints in securing independent housing. These findings highlight the persistent role of gendered structures and class reproduction in Korea’s marriage market and underscore the need for policy interventions that promote equal marriage opportunities among youth.