According to report by Vanguard on Friday, October 10, 2025, in a world where love and marriage are becoming increasingly expensive, some nations are taking bold steps to reverse this trend by offering financial rewards to encourage marriage.
1. South Korea2. Hungary3. Japan4. China5. ItalySummary Table: Marriage Incentives
Across Asia and Europe, several countries have introduced incentives to combat falling birth rates and ageing populations, turning marriage into not just a romantic commitment but an economic opportunity...READ FULL; FROM THE SOURCE.
Here are five countries where the government (or local authorities) provides significant financial incentives for marriage:
1. South Korea
South Korea currently has the world’s lowest fertility rate, leading local governments to take drastic measures.
The Incentive: In districts like Busan’s Saha-gu, the government has offered up to $29,000 (roughly 20 million won) in total benefits. This includes cash for attending matchmaking events, engagement bonuses, and a massive “wedding celebration” grant if the couple actually marries.
The “Dating” Bonus: Some regions even pay singles just to go on a first date, offering around $380 (500,000 won) to cover dinner and movie costs.
City Support: Seoul recently introduced a $680 (1 million won) “marriage starter fund” for newly registered couples to help with furniture and appliances.
2. Hungary
Hungary has one of the most famous “pro-family” programs in Europe, designed to boost the population without relying on immigration.
The Interest-Free Loan: Newly married couples where the wife is under 40 can apply for a subsidized loan of roughly $30,000 (10 million forints).
The Debt Forgiveness: This is the “catch”—if the couple has one child, the loan’s interest is waived. If they have two, a third of the debt is cancelled. If they have three children, the entire loan is forgiven, essentially making it a $30,000 wedding gift from the state.
3. Japan
Japan is fighting a “low-desire society” where young people are increasingly staying single.
Newlywed Support: Under the “Newlywed Life Support Program,” couples living in participating municipalities can receive up to 600,000 JPY (approx. $4,000) to cover costs like moving expenses, apartment security deposits, and rent.
Regional Incentives: Many rural towns offer even higher amounts—sometimes including free housing—to singles who move there, marry a local, and promise to stay for at least five to ten years to help repopulate the area.
4. China
After decades of the “One-Child Policy,” China is now desperate to increase its birth rate and solve a massive gender imbalance.
Youth Bonus: In certain provinces, the government offers a cash reward (around $135 or ¥1,000) to couples if the bride is 25 years old or younger. The goal is to encourage women to marry earlier in their “peak fertility” years.
Local Grants: Some counties offer additional subsidies for wedding ceremonies and honeymoon travel, provided the couple settles in the local area.
5. Italy
While Italy doesn’t have a universal “pay-to-marry” law, its regional governments are famous for offering cash to fight the “ghost town” phenomenon.
The “Lazio” Wedding Bonus: The region of Lazio (which includes Rome) recently offered a €2,000 ($2,200) “Marriage Bonus” to help couples pay for wedding planners, dresses, catering, and flowers.
Rural Relocation: In regions like Calabria or Sardinia, local governments have offered up to $30,000 for young singles or couples to move to a shrinking village, start a business, and get married, as a way to breathe life back into dying communities.
