#Japan #Tokyo #Financial Stress #Marriage Survey #age differences

Unpacking Financial Concerns in Marriage

Introduction

Recent findings from a comprehensive survey conducted by For-it Co., Ltd., the operator of the affiliate platform "afb," shed light on the prevalent financial anxieties among individuals aged 20 to 69 regarding marriage. This article delves into the reasons behind these concerns and how they differ across age groups and genders.

The Survey at a Glance

The survey, executed on November 18, 2025, encompassed 2,000 participants across Japan. Respondents were asked to identify their biggest concerns or hesitations regarding marriage from a provided list. The goal was to gain insight into how various factors impact marriage readiness and attitudes across different demographics.

Key Concerns Emerging from the Survey

Interestingly, 23.9% of those surveyed indicated they had no significant concerns about marriage. However, financial burdens ranked closely behind, with 22.1% expressing anxiety over expenses related to living costs and education for children. This dichotomy reflects a growing trend where economic instability has become a critical hindrance to marriage for many, especially in a context of rising costs and uncertain employment prospects.

Age-Based Insights

Examining the responses by age group unravels deeper insights. Both the 20s and 40s demographic heavily identified financial strain as their primary worry regarding marriage. Notably, the 40s cohort faced the highest concern at 24.3%, likely due to the tangible realities of mortgage and education expenses becoming pressing issues. In contrast, younger respondents in their 20s reported a significant fear of the responsibilities tied to household management and child-rearing, with 9.0% indicating this concern.


As age increased, the perception of anxiety surrounding marriage seemed to shift. In the 60s and above demographic, a considerable 29.8% indicated they had no substantial worries regarding marriage, which suggests that life experience might cultivate a more laid-back attitude towards such commitments.

Gendered Responses

An intriguing split appears when analyzing responses by gender. While both men and women cited "no significant concerns" as their top choice, men notably expressed heightened financial anxieties, with 27.7% naming economic burdens as their primary concern. Women, on the other hand, were more concerned about issues related to the quality of life post-marriage, such as familial relationships or the burdens of household tasks. This suggests men might often grapple with financial insecurity, while women focus more on the lifestyle changes marriage brings.

Occupational Perspectives

When dissected by occupation, the data revealed that salaried employees and civil servants predominantly cited economic burdens and the constraints on freedom and time as significant barriers to marriage. The traditional expectations to provide for a family weigh heavily on these groups, causing added pressure in their lives. Conversely, stay-at-home spouses reported that relational pressures and obligations towards their in-laws significantly factor into their marriage hesitations.

Interestingly, those in self-employment or freelance roles exhibited a higher tendency to feel that marriage has limited benefits compared to their professional independence, revealing an inclination to prioritize personal freedom over traditional commitments.

Conclusion

The findings highlight that economic pressures are a significant concern impacting the decision to marry, reflecting larger societal trends where traditional views on marriage are evolving. With diverse values emerging, interest in marriage itself is waning for some, signifying a potential shift in how society will view marital unions moving forward. Understanding these dynamics is vital for addressing the hesitations many currently face in pursuing marriage.