Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

The Eleventh Japanese National Fertility Survey in 1997

Attitudes toward Marriage and the Family among theUnmarried Japanese Youth
Shigesato Takahashi, Ryuichi Kaneko, Ryuzaburo Sato, Masako Ikenoue,
Fusami Mita, Tsukasa Sasai, Miho Iwasawa and Yuriko Shintani(National Institute of Population and Social Security Research)

Ⅰ. Overview of the Survey
1. The Purpose and History of the Survey
2. Survey Procedures and Collecting of Questionnaires

Ⅱ. Marriage, a Choice - Investigating the trend among the young to avoid
marriage
1. The will to marry
2. The merits of marriage and of remaining single
3. Relationships with the opposite sex
4. Why do they not marry?

Ⅲ. Desirable Marriage - What kind of marriages are people looking for?
1. Desired age of marriage
2. Desirable forms of marriage
3. The attributes of the desired marriage partner
4. Desirable life course
5. The desired number of children

Ⅳ. The life-style and desires of unmarried persons - Current youth profile
1. The life-style of the unmarried
2. Views related to marriage and family

1Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

I. Overview of the Survey
1. The Purpose and History of the Survey
The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research carried out the 11th Basic
Survey on Birth Trends (a national survey on marriage and birth trends) in June 1997 (the 9thyear of the Heisei era). The survey is intended to determine the actual situations andbackgrounds, which cannot be found from other public statistics, of marriage and/or fertility ofmarried couples, and to obtain the data necessary for any related measures and future population
projections. The first (prewar) Basic Survey on Birth Trends was carried out in 1940 (the 15thyear of the Showa era), followed by the second one (postwar) in 1952 (the 27th year of the
Showa era). After that, it has been taken every five years, and was originally called the Survey
on Fertility. At the 10th Survey (in 1992) the name was changed to the Basic Survey on Birth
Trends, the name used today. Since the 8th Survey (in 1982), a survey on unmarried persons
has been taken simultaneously with the survey on married couples. Therefore, this is the fourth
survey on unmarried persons. This report covers the survey on unmarried persons that was
taken along with the 11th Survey.
2. Survey Procedures and Collecting of Questionnaires
This is a sampling survey of unmarried persons aged 18 to 49 in Japan, as of June 1 of the
9th year of Emperor Heisei (1997). The surveyed regions were 500 districts selected bysystematic sampling from among the 1,048 surveyed districts (stratified random sampling fromthe districts of the National Census in the 7th year of Emperor Heisei (1995)) of the Basic Survey
on National Life in the 9th year of Emperor Heisei (carried out by the Statistics and Information
Department of the Minister's Secretariat in the Ministry of Health and Welfare). Therefore, allunmarried persons residing in those districts aged 18 to 49 were the subjects of this survey.
This survey was carried out by distributing numbered forms, which were later sealed andcollected. Of the 12,553 distributed questionnaires (the number of subjects surveyed), 10,652
questionnaires were collected, for a return rate of 84.9%. However, 1,245 collected
questionnaires that were not properly filled-out were considered invalid and excluded from thetotal. Therefore, the number of valid questionnaires was 9,407, making the valid return rate
74.9%. This report presents the totals and analysis of the results from unmarried males andfemales aged 18 to 34 from among the valid returns.
Table I-2-1 The number of distributed questionnaires and thenumber/rate of valid collected questionnaires
Number of questionnaires (collecting rate)
Number of subjects surveyed

12,553

Number of collected questionnaires

10,652 (collecting rate 84.9%)

Number of valid questionnaires

9,407 (valid collecting rate 74.9%)

2

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

Table I-2-2 The number of unmarried persons, classified by age/sex
Age(Reference)The numbet of unmarriedpersons in the 10th Survey*

Number of unmarried persons
Male

FemaleMale

Female

18-19
20-24
25-29
30-34

621 ( 15.6%)
1,683 ( 42.3 )
1,149 ( 28.9 )529 ( 13.3 )

606 ( 16.8%)
1,754 ( 48.6 )908 ( 25.1 )
344 ( 9.5 )

845 ( 20.0%)
1,840 ( 43.7 )
1,036 ( 24.6 )494 ( 11.7 )

878 ( 24.1%)
1,783 ( 48.9 )
739 ( 20.3 )
247 ( 6.8 )Total

3,982 (100.0%)

3,612 (100.0%)

4,215 (100.0%)

3,647 (100.0%)* The number of districts in the National Census was 490.

II. Marriage, a Choice - Investigating the trend among the young to avoid
marriage
1. The will to marry
1) The proportion of unmarried persons who intend to marry has fallen short of 90%.

It remains unchanged that most of the unmarried think they will marry someday, but the
proportion of those intending to marry has tended to decrease slightly. This survey recorded
percentages below 90 for both males and females for the first time. The decline among males is
especially remarkable. Males intending to remain single all their lives have increased somewhat,though the proportion has not jumped from the usual 5% line. In fact, the gradual increase of
persons whose attitudes were not stated affects the decrease of those intending to marry.
Table II-1-1 Trend in the intention of lifetime marriage for the unmarried
Male
About lifetime marriage

8th Survey(1982)

Female9th Survey 10th Survey 11th Survey 8th Survey(1987)(1992)(1982)(1997)

9th Survey 10th Survey 11th Survey(1987)(1992)(1997)

Will marry someday

95.9 %

91.8

90.0

85.9

94.2 %

92.9

90.2

89.1

Will never someday

2.3

4.5

4.9

6.3

4.1

4.6

5.2

4.9

Not stated

1.8

3.7

5.1

7.8

1.7

2.5

4.6

6.0

100.0 %
(2,732)100.0(3,299)100.0(4,215)100.0(3,982)100.0 %
(2,110)100.0(2,605)100.0(3,647)100.0(3,612)

Total(Numbet of samples)

Question“If you consider your whole life, which intention do you have about marriage?”
1.Will marry someday, 2.Will never marry2) Those concerned about the age of marriage are decreasing, and those willing to wait for an ideal partner are
increasing

Among the unmarried persons who have an intention of marrying, those wanting to marry by3

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

a certain age have tended to decrease, while persons who intend to wait until they find their ideal
partner are increasing. In the Survey ten years ago, the former exceeded the latter for bothmales and females, but these proportions were recently reversed. These tendencies show that
unmarried persons today are gradually less aware of the concept of "marriageable age," andinstead feel strongly about the quality of their marriage, and the importance of their partner.
Table II-1-2 Views on marriage of unmarried persons who intend to marry
Male

FemaleViews on marriagee

9th Survey(1987)

Will marry by a certain age

60.4 %

52.8

48.6

54.1 %

49.2

42.9

Don't care about marrying unless
I can find my ideal partner

37.5

45.5

50.1

44.5

49.6

56.1

Not stated

2.1

1.6

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.1

100.0 %
(3,027)100.0(3,795)100.0(3,420)100.0 %
(2,420)100.0(3,291)

100.0(3,218)

Total(Number of samples)10th Survey 11th Survey 9th Survey(1992)(1987)(1997)

10th Survey 11th Survey(1992)(1997)

Question“If you consider your whole life, which thought do you have about marriage?”
1.Will marry by a certain age, 2.Don't care about marrying unless I can find my ideal partner
Note: Subjects are the unmarried who answered “Will marry someday.”3) Unmarried persons aged 25 and over who "have no intention of marrying yet" are tending to increase.

Among the unmarried persons who intend to marry someday, the number who are passive
about marriage ("have no intention of marrying yet") naturally shrinks with increasing age,
Table II-1-3 The proportion of unmarried persons classified by age who“have no intention of marrying yet”
Male
Age

18-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
Total (18-34)

Female10th Survey(1992)

11th Survey(1997)

10th Survey(1992)

11th Survey(1997)

86.5 %

85.7

80.6

73.5 %

76.4

76.8

71.6

72.1

67.4

52.7

55.7

53.9

31.5

37.5

42.7

16.6

19.7

26.9

14.5

12.8

21.5

13.2

14.0

18.4

57.3 %

59.3

56.5

49.5 %

50.7

47.7

9th Survey(1987)

Question“How about getting married within a year from now?”
1.Want to marry within a year
2.May marry if an ideal partner can be found
3.Have no intention of marrying yet
Note: Subjects are the unmarried who answered “Will marry someday.”
The total number of samples is the same as that of Table II-1-2.

4

9th Survey(1987)

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

though, in their late twenties, 42.7% of males and 26.9% of females are still passive. If wecompare the proportions by age, recently they have become larger for the age group of 25 and up
for both males and females. In other words, it seems that the intention to marry quickly isshrinking for this age group. The figure declines or levels off for ages under 25.
4) The conscious distance from marriage for unmarried persons is gradually increasing

When we combined the answers to questions concerning the will to marry, expressed them as
numbers to show how consciously far off their marriage is perceived to be, and compared them, it
is clear that the "conscious distance" from marriage for unmarried persons tends to be gradually
increasing for this decade. This trend is much the same for both males and females and can befound in any age group. The group of females aged 30 and over, however, is closer to marriage
than ever. Because of the recent trend towards later marriage, it seems that an increasing
number of females wait until this age group to be married, even though they intend to marry.

Figure II-1-1 The change in conscious distance from marriage for unmarriedpersons, classified by age
4.5

Away from marriage
The conscious distance from marriage

The conscious distance from marriage【Female】【Male】

4.5

4.0

11th Survey(1997)

3.5

3.0

2.5

10th Survey(1992)

9th Survey(1987)

Away from marriage
4.0

11th Survey(1997)

3.5

10th Survey(1992)
3.0

2.5

9th Survey(1987)

Closer to marriage

Closer to marriage
2.0

2.0

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Age

Age
Note: See the Glossary for a definition of the conscious distance from marriaga.

2. The merits of marriage and of remaining single
1) The unmarried subjects who consider that marriage has no merits are tending to increase for ages

25 andover.

When the unmarried subjects were asked if marriage had any merits, the proportion of those
who said yes was 64.6% for males and 69.9% for females (Table II-2-1). The male percentage
is 4.5 points lower than a decade ago, which is a greater drop than that for the females, who had a
0.9 point decrease. Especially in the group aged 25 and over, numbers of both males and females
who think marriage has no merits are increasing (Table II-2-2, Figure II-2-1). This pattern ofage matches up with the decline in the will to marry (See Figure II-1-1). On the other hand, in
this survey, those who felt that the single life has merits totaled 82.7% for males and 88.5% for5Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

females, which are much higher percentages than for those who felt that marriage has merits.
The results show that the subjects feel strongly that the single life is much more attractive thanmarriage.
Table II-2-1 Views on the merits of marriage and of the single life for unmarried persons
Male

At present do you thinkmarriage has:Female9th Survey(1987)

10th Survey(1992)

11th Survey(1997)

9th Survey(1987)

10th Survey(1992)

11th Survey(1997)

Any merits

69.1 %

66.7

64.6

70.8 %

71.4

69.9

No merits

25.4

29.1

30.3

24.7

25.2

25.5

Not stated

5.5

4.2

5.1

4.5

3.4

4.6

100.0 %

100.0

100.0

100.0 %

100.0

100.0

Total

83.0 %

83.6

82.7

89.7 %

89.0

88.5

At present do you think the
No merits
single life has:

10.7

11.2

11.6

5.4

7.4

7.2

Not stated

6.3

5.2

5.7

4.9

3.6

4.3

Total

100.0 %

100.0

100.0

100.0 %

100.0

100.0

(Number of samples)(3,299)(4,215)(3,982)(2,605)(3,647)(3,612)

Any merits

Table II-2-2 Unmarried subjects classified by age who think marriage has no
merits at the present time
Male

FemaleAge

9th Survey(1987)

10th Survey(1992)

11th Survey(1997)

9th Survey(1987)

10th Survey(1992)

11th Survey(1997)

18-19

38.4 %

40.7

41.9

34.5 %

32.1

32.5

20-24

28.8

33.0

32.7

23.6

25.5

25.4

25-29

14.8

19.0

23.1

15.1

17.6

23.6

30-34

15.6

16.0

24.6

22.5

20.6

19.2

Total (18-34)

25.4 %

29.1

30.3

24.7 %

25.2

25.5

Figure II-2-1 Unmarried subjects by age who think marriage has no merits at thepresent time
【Male】

50【Female】

50

41.9 %
40

40
32.7
30

20

32.5 %

11th Survey(1997)

23.1

9th Survey(1987)

30

11th Survey(1997)

25.4

24.6

23.6
20
9th Survey(1987)

10

19.2

10

10th Survey(1992)

10th Survey(1992)

0

0
18-19

20-24

25-29

18-19

30-34

20-24

25-29
Age

Age

6

30-34

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1
2) The merits of marriage are mainly psychological, while "social trust," "realize expectations of parents" or"convenient life" are still decreasing.

When we ask the subjects to choose items concerning the concrete merits of marriage, themost often chosen was "psychological relief" by both male and female, followed by "have yourown children or family" and "live with the person you feel affection for," so the psychologicalitems are ranked in the top third. On the other hand, such social merits as "gain social trust or
equal relationships," which was ranked second by males, or "realize expectations of your parents
or peers," have dropped for both male and female in every survey. The male's "live a moreconvenient life" has also fallen. These days what unmarried persons are longing for in marriage
are personal aspects, such as relief and affection, while those wanting the external benefits ofmarriage, such as social aspects, gaining social trust, or meeting the expectation of one's parents,
have been rapidly decreasing. In this survey, however, the female's "financial stability" merit ofmarriage has increased slightly.
Figure II-2-2 The merits of marriage

35

30
25

34 35
32

33

35

30

11th Survey(1997)

24
22
17 17 1836％

23 24 24

20

20

【Female】
40

9th Survey(1987)
10th Survey(1992)

38 37

︶

19

20

18

18

16

15

15

14

12

11

9

10

7

10

11
10
7

7

6
4
3 4

4 3 4

3 2
2

8

7 6 6

2 2
1

1 0 1

Sexual staistaction

Be independent of parents

Be financially stable

Live a more convenient life

Realize expectatjions ofyour parents or peers

Live with the person
you feel affection for

Psychological relief

Sexual staistaction

Be independent of parents

Be financially stable

Live a more convenient life

Realize expectatjions ofyour parents or peers

Gain social trust or
equal relationships

Live with the person
you feel affection for

Have your own children
or family

Psychological relief

Have your own children
or family

00Gain social trust or
equal relationships

︶

％

︵

︵

【Male】
40

Note: Shows what proportion of the unmarried subjects think each item (up to 2 items) are the main merits of marriage.
This graph shows percentages.

3) The most attractive part of the single life is "freedom."

When we ask the unmarried subjects to choose the merits of their current single life, those
who chose "freedom" overwhelmed all others for both males and females. Among the others,"affluence," "no responsibility for supporting family; be carefree" or "easier to maintain a wide
range of friendships" were often selected. This indicates that the unmarried subjects feel thatmarriage would restrict their actions, lives and friendships, and add the mental burden of
supporting a family.
Although the mind-set on the merits of being single has had less chronological change,

7

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

females who chose as merits "wide range of friendships" and "work and social connections" havebeen gradually declining.
Figure II-2-3 The merits of the single life
9th Survey(1987)
10th Survey(1992)
11th Survey(1997)

70

65 66 66

60
50

80

︶

︶

％

【 Female】︵︵【 Male】
80

％

70

69

70
67

60
50

40

39

40

37
32

30
16 17

18
14
7 8 7

4 3
2

0
Freedom

3 4 4

12

7 8 8

9

Work an social connections

20 19

10

Work an social connections

3 2 2

Broad choice in living
environment

Freedom in relationships
with the opposite sex

Easire to maintain a wide
range of friendships

Affluence

Freedom0

No Responsibility for supportinga family; be carefree

5 5 4Continue closer relationships
with current family

1016Continue closer relationships
with current family

20

11 12 12

Broad choice in living
environment

19

20

Freedom in relationships
with the opposite sex

23 24

Easire to maintain a wide
range of friendships

22

24 24 24

No Responsibility for supportinga family; be carefree

25 26

Affluence30

Note: Shows what precentage of the unmarried subjects think each item (up to 2 items) are the main merits of the single life.
This graph shows percentages.

3. Relationships with the opposite sex
1) Unmarried subjects who date are slightly decreasing.

According to the results of the questions on relationships with the opposite sex, those who
answered "have a dating partner (as a fiance/fiancee, boyfriend/girlfriend, or friend)" decreasedslightly (male 45.5% to 41.5%, female 55.0% to 51.3%). On the other hand, those who
answered "have no dating partner" were 49.8% for the males, just about half, and 41.9% for thefemales. Both males and females gained 3 percentage points (Table II-3-1, Figure II-3-1). In
the breakdown of dating partners, "have a fiance/fiancee" and "have a boyfriend/girlfriend" hasn'tchanged for five years, though dating as friends has remarkably declined. These changes,
classified by age (Table II-3-2), show that the younger the age group, the larger the increase in
those who "have no dating partner."
Table II-3-1 Relationships with the opposite sex, for the unmarried subjects
Malerelationships with the opposite sex

9th Survey(1987)

10th Survey(1992)

Female11th Survey(1997)

9th Survey(1987)

10th Survey(1992)

11th Survey(1997)Have a fiance/fiancee

2.9 %

3.2

2.9

4.6 %

3.9

3.8

Have a dating partner as a boyfriend/girlfriend

19.4

23.1

23.3

26.2

31.6

31.6

Have a dating partner as a friend

23.6

19.2

15.3

25.4

19.5

15.9

Have no dating partner

48.6

47.3

49.8

39.5

38.9

41.9

Not stated
Total

5.5

7.2

8.7

4.3

6.3

6.8

100.0 %

100.0

100.0

100.0 %

100.0

100.0

(3,299)(4,215)(3,982)(2,605)(3,647)(3,612)8

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1
Figure II-3-1 Relationships with the opposite sex, for the unmarried subjects【Female】【Male】
0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

0%

100%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

19

24

49

6

9th Survey(1987)

5

26

25

40

4

10th Survey 3(1992)

23

19

47

7

10th Survey(1992)

4

32

20

39

6

11th Survey(1997)

23

15

911th Survey(1997)

4

32

16

42

7

Have a friend of
the opposite sex

Have no dating
partner

9th Survey
3(1987)

3

Have afiance/fiancee

Have aboyfriend/girlfriend

50

Have no dating
partnerHave a friend of
the opposite sex

Have afiance/fiancee

Not statedHave aboyfriend/girlfriend

Not statedHave a dating partner

Have a dating partner

Table II-3-2 The proportion by age of the unmarried subjects who have nodating partner
Male

FemaleAge

9th Survey(1987)

10th Survey(1992)

11th Survey(1997)

9th Survey(1987)

10th Survey(1992)

11th Survey(1997)

18-19

55.9 %

55.6

60.5

47.1 %

47.6

55.3

20-24

42.1

43.8

46.9

35.3

33.1

37.0

25-29

48.9

43.2

47.2

38.7

37.3

39.1

30-34

60.6

54.9

52.2

45.6

53.8

50.9

Total

48.6 %

47.3

49.8

39.5 %

38.9

41.9

Note: The total numbet of samples is the same as in Table II-3-1.

2) Mid-sixties percentiles want to marry their boyfriend/girlfriend.

We asked the unmarried subjects who have relationships with the opposite sex if they want tomarry their partner. Among those who have been dating their boyfriend/girlfriend, 66.7% ofmales and 63.2% of females want to marry their partner. On the other hand, among those havebeen dating their friends, about 15% of both males and females want to marry their partner.
Table II-3-3 The proportion who want to marry their dating partners
Concerning the person you have been dating as yourboyfriend/girlfriend
Want to
marry

Total

Have noparticular idea

Concerning the person you have been dating as yourfriendNotstatedWant to
marry

Total

Have noparticular idea

NotstatedMale
10th Survey(1992)

100 %

(973)

65.3 %

33.4

1.3

100 %

(809)

12.2 %

85.3

2.5

11th Survey(1997)

100

(926)

66.7

31.3

1.9

100

(610)

14.3

82.0

3.8

Female10th Survey(1992)

100 %(1,151)65.9 %

33.0

1.1

100 %

(710)

11.3 %

85.5

3.2

11th Survey(1997)

100(1,142)

63.2

35.3

1.5

100

(574)

15.3

81.4

3.3

Note: Show the proportion of those who want to marry their dating partner, among those who have dating partners.
The subjects are those who indicated that they have a dating partner (excxluding ， have a fiance/fiancee”).

9Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1
3) The chance to have a relationship in everyday life: in the workplace, at school or through friends.

The perceived chance to have a relationship has hardly changed since 1982 (the 8th Survey)and "at the workplace or through my job," "at school" and "through friends" account for slightly
short of 70 percent.
Table II-3-4 Chances to meet a dating partner, classified by survey【Male】Total

At Theworkplaceor throughmy jobAt
schoolA

Through an
arranged
Other/notintroduction or astatedneighbor matrimonial agency

While
Through a
ThroughThrough clubs orChildhoodfriends or downtown orpart-time
accomplishments
friend or
siblings during a tripjob

8th Survey(1982)

100 %(1,604)22.0 %

30.9

18.2

13.2

13.2

*

5.9

2.3

3.8

9th Survey(1987)

100(1,514)

29.7

21.9

16.1

8.9

9.9

*

2.5

1.5

9.5

10th Survey(1992)

100(1,918)

26.6

22.9

16.9

5.8

9.0

7.9

2.2

1.5

7.1

11th Survey(1997)100(1,651)

23.0

22.1

21.4

7.7

9.2

5.8

2.8

1.2

6.8

At Theworkplaceor throughmy jobAt
school【Female】
Total

A

Through an
arranged
Other/notintroduction or astatedneighbor matrimonial agency

While
Through a
ThroughThrough clubs orChildhoodfriends or downtown orpart-time
accomplishments
friend or
siblings during a tripjob

8th Survey(1982)

100 %(1,386)32.5 %

29.1

16.8

9.3

12.7

*

5.7

2.7

4.2

9th Survey(1987)

100(1,465)

30.7

21.3

19.8

6.9

9.1

*

2.2

2.3

7.7

10th Survey(1992)

100(2,002)

29.6

19.6

18.9

5.0

8.4

8.4

2.4

1.5

6.1

11th Survey(1997)100(1,854)

28.6

21.0

20.2

6.5

7.8

7.3

1.9

1.3

5.3

Note: In the 8th and the 9th Surveys, through a part-time job” was excluded from the choices. Additionally, since the 8th Survey permitted answers for
multiple partners, the total might not be 100%. The subjects of each survey are those who answered that they have a dating partner.
【Reference table: Survey of married couples】
At TheworkplaceAt
Totalor through school
my job11th Survey(1997) 100 %(1,296)
33.6 % 10.4

A

Through an
arranged
Other/notintroduction or astatedneighbor matrimonial agency
1.5
9.6
3.0

While
Through a
ThroughThrough clubs orChildhoodfriends or downtown orpart-time
accomplishments
friend or
siblings during a trip
job
27.1

5.2

4.9

4.6

Note: Subjects are married couples who were married within the five years preceding the survey.

4) The proportion of unmarried subjects who have experienced cohabitation is less than 5%.

In order to understand the relationships with the opposite sex of the unmarried over a wide
range, experiences of cohabitation and sexual behavior were also surveyed. Those who
answered that they have experienced cohabitation, either currently or formerly, were 4.8% formales and 4.6% for females, both less than 5%. Compared with the results of the previous two
surveys, the figures have tended to slightly increase. The proportion by age of those who
experienced cohabitation shows that the ages of 25-29 for males (7.1%) and 30-34 for females(7.6%) have the highest percentages. In modern Western countries, where cohabitation is
generalized among the youth, it is said that this practice affects the marriage trends greatly. This
explanation doesn't seem to fit Japanese society.

10Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

Table II-3-5 The percenteges of unmarried subjects who experienced cohabition
Male
Age

18-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
Total

Female9th Survey(1987)
1.2 %10th Survey(1992)
0.9

11th Survey(1997)
0.6

9th Survey(1987)
1.9 %10th Survey(1992)
1.3

11th Survey(1997)
2.6

3.5

4.2

4.5

2.7

3.1

4.4

3.3

6.7

7.1

4.1

4.5

5.3

5.0

7.1

6.0

4.4

6.1

7.6

3.2 %
(3,299)4.5(4,215)

4.8(3,982)2.8 %(2,605)

3.1(3,647)

4.6(3,612)

Question: “Have you ever cohabited (lived with a partner without having your marriage legally registered)?”1.No, 2.Yes, formerly, but not now, 3. Yes, I am now
Note: The figures in this table show the total percentages of those who chose 2. or 3.

5) The rate of experiencing sexual intercourse while unmarried is still increasing

Sixty percent (60.1%) of males and fifty percent (50.5%) of females answered that they haveexperienced sexual intercourse. Compared with the results of the previous two surveys, theproportion of those who have experienced sexual intercourse has been continually increasing.
The figure for females has especially soared by 20.3 percentage points, as compared with ten
years ago (7.1% increase for males). Age-specific proportions show that males aged 25 andover tend to reach a limit of about 70%, while percentages for females in all age groups arerising.
Table II-3-6 The percentege of unmarried subjects who have experienced
sexual intercourse
Male
Age

9th Survey(1987)

18-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
Total

Female10th Survey(1992)

11th Survey(1997)

9th Survey(1987)

10th Survey(1992)

11th Survey(1997)

24.3 %

25.1

31.9

52.7

54.8

60.0

17.4 %

20.7

28.2

31.9

42.0

66.6

71.3

52.0

70.6

40.0

46.7

68.3

58.3

72.3

71.3

38.8

49.8

53.0 %(3,299)61.3

54.9(4,215)60.1(3,982)30.2 %(2,605)38.3(3,647)50.5(3,612)

Question: “Have you ever had sexual intercourse with the opposite sex?”
1.Yes, 2.No

4.

Why do they not marry?

A lack of positive reasons for marrying, or little chance of meeting an acceptable partner, put restrictions on
marriage.

When the current reasons for remaining single were asked, a lack of necessity for marriage,
such as "too young" or "feel no need," and a combination of factors such as "work (schoolwork),""hobbies and entertainment" in addition to "don't want to lose freedom" were often selected by
the younger age groups. These items generally indicate a lack of positive reasons to marry.

11

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

However, about half of the group aged 25 and over picked "can't meet an acceptable partner."
Even in this age group, there were many who selected "feel no need" and "don't want to lose
freedom," with the latter more often selected than in the younger age group. Compared with theprevious survey, "too young" has fallen among the younger age group for both males and females,
while "feel no need" has risen and "can't meet an acceptable partner" has fallen for ages 25 andover. These facts suggest that the reasons for remaining single in this age group have shiftedslightly from negative reasons (can't marry) to positive reasons (don't want to marry).
Table II-4-1 Reasons for remaining single, classified by age groupａ）ages 18-24【Female】【Male】
︵

︵

60

57

％

︶

︶
50

negative reasons forbeing single

positive reasons forbeing single

％

50

46

10th Survey(1992)

41 41

40

35

30

29

27
19

20

60

22

44

40

11th Survey(1997)

30

positive reasons forbeing single
44

negative reasons forbeing single

45

38

36

10th Survey(1992)

38

11th Survey(1997)

31

30

29 29

28

20 21

20 21

21 21

19

20
10

6 6

5 5

17

7 7

12

10

10

33

11th Survey(1997)

30 30

Can't get approval ofparents or peers

Can't find a place to live

Can't afford marriage

Can't have a good
relationshipwith the opposite sex

Can't meet an
acceptable partner

Don't want to lose freedom

Enjoy hobbies orentertainment

13 13
8 8

10
3 4

7 7

Can't have a good relationshipwith the opposite sex

Dedicated to work
(or schoolwork)

Feel no needToo young0Note: Shows what proportion of the unmarried subjects think each item (up to 3 items) are the main reasons for remaining single.
This graph shows percenteges.

12

4

3

2 2

Can't get approval ofparents or peers

Can't find a place to live

Can't afford marriage

Can't have a good relationshipwith the opposite sex

Can't meet an
acceptable partner

Don't want to lose freedom

Dedicated to work
(or schoolwork)

Enjoy hobbies orentertainment

6 6Feel no needToo young

20

14 13

10 9

7 7

0

Dedicated to work
(or schoolwork)

22

20

16 15

10th Survey(1992)

38

11th Survey(1997)

22

20 20

20

35

negative reasons forbeing single

30

30

25

37

Can't meet an
acceptable partner

30

40

Don't want to lose freedom

31

52

Can't get approval ofparents or peers

10th Survey(1992)

40

10

50

55

positive reasons forbeing single

Enjoy hobbies orentertainment

46％

Can't afford marriage

negative reasons forbeing single

︶

︶
50

53

【Female】
60

Can't find a place to live

︵

︵

60

positive reasons forbeing single

4 4ｂ） ages 25-34【Male】％

Feel no need0

Too young

Can't get approval ofparents or peers

Can't find a place to live

Can't afford marriage

Can't have a good relationshipwith the opposite sex

Can't meet an
acceptable partner

Don't want to lose freedom

Dedicated to work
(or schoolwork)

Feel no needToo young0

Enjoy hobbies orentertainment

5 4

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

III. Desirable Marriage -What kind of marriages are people looking for?

1. Desired age of marriage1) Age 30 is increasing as the desirable age of marriage for males, while the age of 25 interests most females

When the unmarried subjects younger than the peak age period of marriage (18-25 male,
18-24 female) are asked at what age they want to marry, the proportion of those desiring age 30(male) or 25 (female) is higher than those desiring other ages (Figure III-1-1). Compared withthe results of the previous two surveys, those wanting to marry at a younger age has declined, andthose wanting to marry at an older age has increased, for both males and females. This hasrevealed that the desire has shifted to "later marriages." Since mental walls seems to exist near
the ages of 30 for males and 25 for females, the numbers of those wanting to marry later thanthese ages have dropped sharply. Compared with the actual ages of marriage (1997), this isclearer.
Figure III-1-1 The distribution of desired age of marriage【Female】

(%)

39

35

33

31

29

27

25

23

21

37

38
-

36
-

34
-

32
-

30
-

28
-

26
-

24
-

18
-

22
-

歳

第９回（1987年）
9th Survey(1987)
第10回（1992年）
10th Survey(1992)
第11回（1997年）
11th Survey(1997)
1997年実績
1997 Actual

19

9

7

-3
38

5

-3
36

3
-3

-3
34

1
32

9
30

-3

7

-2

-2
26

28

5

3
24

-2

1

-2

-2

22

18

-1

9歳

第９回（1987年）
9th
Survey(1987)
第10回（1992年）
10th
Survey(1992)
第11回（1997年）
11th
Survey(1997)
1997
Actual1997年実績

50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

20
-

【Male】

(%)

20

50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

Note: Concerning the desired age of marriage, the subjects are unmarried persons, younger than the peak period of
marriage (18-25 for males, 18-24 for females). The actual values for 1997 (line graph) are based on Vital
Statistics from the Statistics and Information Department of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (Averageage of first marriage is 28.5 for males and 26.6 for females).

2)

Growing trend toward desired later marriage

When the average desired ages of marriage, classified by current age, are compared with thepast two surveys, the desired age of marriage has been rising for all age groups, except 18-19 formales. This shows that the desire is for later marriages.
Table III-1-1 The distribution age of marriage by age group, classified
by survey
Age

18-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
Total

Male
Female9th Survey 10th Survey 11th Survey 9th Survey 10th Survey 11th Survey(1987)(1992)(1987)(1992)(1997)(1997)
26.2
26.7
26.3
23.6
24.2
24.8
26.9
27.3
27.5
24.7
25.2
25.8
29.0
29.6
29.9
27.8
28.5
28.7
33.5
33.7
34.2
32.6
33.3
33.5
27.9
28.4
28.8
25.1
26.0
26.9

Note: The subjects are those who responded “will marry someday.”13

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1
3) The waiting-period till the desired age of marriage has tended to rise for both males and females

The waiting-period till marriage, which is found by subtracting the current age from thedesired age of marriage, gets shorter as the unmarried subject becomes older, but the 25-29 andover groups for both males and females show little change. Compared with the results of past
surveys, the waiting-period till marriage becomes longer with every survey, except for the
younger age groups for males. Here it is also observed that the conscious desire to avoid
marriage gradually decreases.
Figure III-1-2 The waiting-period till the desired age of marriage
9

7.8

8

8

9th Survey

7

Waiting-period (years)

Waiting-period (years)【Female】【Male】

9

10th Survey

5.5

6

11th Survey

5
4

3.2
2.7

3
2
1

9th Survey

7

10th Survey

6.3

11th Survey

6
5
3.9

4
3

2.3

2.2

25-29

30-34

2
1

0

0
18-19

20-24

25-29

30-34

18-19

20-24

Current age

Current age

Note: The waiting-period till the desired age of marriage is found by subtracting the current age from the desired ageof marriage. The reference numbers just above the lines in these graphs are the values from the 11th Survey.

4) Males wish for females of marriageable age and Females wish for their senior by two or three years.

The difference in age between the unmarried and their desirable marriage partners is getting
bigger for males as they become older, because they want to marry females in a certain age group.

【Male】【Female】

8
7
6

Difference in age of desirable husband

Difference in age of desirable wife

Figure III-1-3 Difference in age from the desirable marriage partner

9th Survey
10th Survey
11th Survey

5

5.7

4
3

3.4

2
1

1.7

2.2

0
18-19

20-24
25-29
Current age

30-34

8
7

9th Survey

6

9th Survey

5

11th Survey

4
3
2
1

2.1

2.3

2.3

0
18-19

20-24
25-29
Current age

1.5
30-34

Note: The difference in age of the desirable marriage partner is the difference between the age at which a subject wants
to marry and the age of his/her desirable spouse. The reference values in these Figures are from the 11th Survey.
The differences in age of married couples resulting from the surveys on married couples are 2.9 years in the 9th
Survey (1987), 2.6 years in teh 10th Survey (1992) and 2.3 years in the 11th Survey (1997) (based on married
couples who got married during the five years previous to each survey).

On the other hand, the figures for age-specific females show little difference, and they wish for
14

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

their senior by two or three years, on average. Compared with the past surveys, the desirable
difference in age has been shrinking for both males and females in every survey. It can be
expected that both groups will tend, more and more, to want to marry partners whose ages arecloser to their own. This agrees with the surveys of married couples, which show that the actual
difference in ages of married couples has been shrinking.
2.

Desirable forms of marriage"Love marriage" -oriented youths have been increasing.

When we asked the unmarried if they want to "marry for love" or "marry by arrangement,"
those who answered "love marriage" accounted for 66.8% for males and 73.4% for females.
Compared with the results of the previous two surveys, more and more males and females intend
to marry for love. Each of surveys also shows that more females intend to marry for love thanmales in all age groups. On an age basis, the younger the married persons are, the more
intention they have of marrying for love, and this tendency weakens rapidly as they become older.
Recently, however, those intending to marry for love have been remarkably increasing in theolder age groups. The actual proportion of love marriages shown in the survey on married
couples is higher than the proportion of unmarried subjects desiring a love marriage. Considering
the presence or absence of the opposite sex to date, it is natural that the proportion of thosedesiring a love marriage is higher if they have intimate dating partners (Figure III-2-1).
Table III-2-1 Unmarried persons who desire a love marriage, classified by age
Age

Male
Female9th Survey 10th Survey11th Survey 9th Survey 10th Survey 11th Survey(1987)(1992)(1987)(1992)(1997)(1997)

18-19

68.0 %

77.8

75.3

72.0 %

80.4

83.8

20-24

62.7

72.0

73.0

67.4

74.2

77.7

25-29

45.0

57.1

62.6

46.6

60.5

66.8

30-34

28.3

36.3

44.9

34.7

39.1

49.8

Total

55.1 %

65.3

66.8

63.3 %

70.7

73.4

Question: “What kind of marriage do you want?”
1.Want to marry for love, 2.Want an arranged marriage, 3.Either will do
Note: The subjects are those who responded “Will marry someday.” In the 11th Survey,
the proportions of those who answered “Want an arranged marriage” and “Either
will do” are 0.6% and 31% for males and 0.5% and 25.1% for females.

【Table for reference: Survey of married couples】
9th Survey 10th Survey11th Survey(1987)(1992)(1997)
Proportion wanting alove marriage

74.1%

82.8

87.3

Note: The married couples surveyed are those who got married
during the five years preceding each survey.

15

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

Figure III-2-1 The proportion of those desiring love marriages on the basis of
the presence or absence of the opposite sex to date【Female】
The proportion of those desiring love marriages (%)

The proportion of those desiring love marriages (％）

【Male】
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

恋人
boyfriend/
girlfriend
友達
Friend
交際相Nopartner
手なし

18-19

20-24
25-29
Current age

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
18-19

30-34

20-24
25-29
Current age

30-34

3. The attributes of the desired marriage partner"Character" was ranked first by both males and females. The item ranked second was "economic stability" forfemales and "looks" for males.

Among the seven items listed in Table III-3-1 as being "regarded seriously" or "considered"
when choosing a marriage partner, the highest ranked item was "character" by both males andfemales, followed by "looks" for males and "economic stability" for females. Those who
answered that they regard seriously or consider the "school background" of their partner made up
the smallest proportion of both males and females. If we compare males with females, females
place more emphasis on all other items except "looks." There were no dramatic changes for

Table III-3-1 Attributes of the desired marriage partner: the proportion of unmarried persons considering or
regarding each item seriously【Male】【Female】
10th
Survey11th Survey (1997)
Attributes of amarriage partner

23.5%

2.2

21.3

74.3

2.2

29.8%

100

35.8

3.0

32.8

61.8

2.4

39.5

Economic stability 100

30.8

2.8

28.0

66.8

2.5

Character

100

95.2

82.9

12.3

2.6

Looks

100

73.9

19.6

54.3

Common hobby

100

70.5

22.0

Living with parents

100

58.9

15.5

Occupation

Attributes of amarriage partner(Subtotal)(Subtotal)
Less
Not Regarded
Regarded
Total seriously + Regarded
Considered important stated seriously +considered
considered setiously

School background 100%10th
Survey11th Survey (1997)(Subtotal)(Subtotal)
Less
Not Regarded
Regarded
Total seriously + Regarded
Considered important stated seriously +considered
considered setiously

School background 100%

49.7%

7.7

42.0

49.2

1.1

54.6%

Occupation

100

77.9

21.8

56.1

20.9

1.3

78.0

26.7

Economic stability

100

90.9

33.5

57.4

8.0

1.1

88.7

2.2

94.1

Character

100

97.8

92.2

5.6

1.0

1.1

97.3

23.3

2.7

79.6

Looks

100

67.3

12.8

54.5

31.4

1.3

67.7

48.5

27.3

2.3

-

Common hobby

100

78.9

30.4

48.5

19.9

1.2

-

43.4

38.8

2.3

-

Living with parents

100

78.9

34.0

44.9

19.8

1.4

-

Question: “When deciding on a marriage partner, to what degree do you put emphasis on the following?.”
1.Regard seriously, 2.Consider, 3.Less important“Living with parents” means living with the male's parents.
Note: The subjects were unmarried, between the age of 18-34, who responded “Will marry someday.” The total number of subjects was 3,420 males and 3,218 females.

16Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

Figure III-3-1 Attributes of the marriage partner: the proportion considering or
regarding each item seriously
Male

School background
100 ％

Fema

80

Living with parents

60

78.9
40

58.9

49.7

78.9

Occupation

23.5% 35.8

200Common hobby

77.9

30.8

70.5

90.9
Economic stability

67.3
73.9

95.2
97.8 Character

Looks【Male】【Female】
School background

School background

100％

100 ％

80

Living withparents

60

80

Living withparents

Occupation

40

40

20

20

0

0

Commonhobby

Economic
stability

Looks

Occupation

60

CharacterCommonhobby

Junior highschoolSenior highschoolJunior college/
technical college
University/
graduate school

Economic
stability

Looks

Characterschool background, occupation, economic stability, character and looks, when compared with theresults from the previous survey, except that the proportion regarding seriously or considering theschool background has declined for both males and females. Looking at just "school
background," the proportion regarding seriously or considering this item increases for both males
and females as they receive higher education (Figure III-3-1).
4. Desirable life course
1) From the wish to be a housewife to the compatibility of working and housekeeping-

dramatic changes in

ideal life courses for unmarried women.

The life course which unmarried females think ideal is one in which they marry and havechildren, and was selected by more than 80 percent, whereas those who chose "Unmarried
worker" or "DINKS" (marry but have no children) as the ideal life course were in the minority,with less than 10 percent. As for combining work with child rearing after marriage, the proportion
choosing "Return to work" after raising children, the top ranked choice, was 34.4%, followed by17

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

"Compatible" (working and child rearing) (27.7%), and "Housewife" (who stops working
completely) (20.6%). Compared with the past surveys, those regarding "Housewife" as ideal
have declined sharply this time, while the "Compatible" course has extensively increased and"Return to work" has risen a little. Obviously, more and more unmarried females intend to work
after marriage. When the possible intended life course was surveyed, however, the "Compatible"
course was much less popular than the ideal course, and instead there are more who desire an"Unmarried working" course or a "Return to work" course. This result shows that though theunmarried women regard the compatibility of working and housekeeping/child rearing as ideal, in
reality they feel that they will have to select one or the other. Looking at the actual life courses ofmarried women who finished their child bearing/child rearing (from the survey of married
couples), there are many more who followed the "Housewife" course than those who followed
any of the ideal or intended courses desired by the unmarried.
Table III-4-1 Ideal or intended life courses of unmarried women

9th Survey 10th Survey(1987)(1992)

Survey(1997)(Reference)
married women's
9th Survey 10th Survey 11th Survey
11th Survey(1997)(1987)(1992)(1997)

3.7 %
2.5
18.5
31.1
33.6
10.7
100.0 %
(2,605)

4.4
4.4
27.2
34.3
20.6
9.2
100.0
(3,612)

7.1 %
1.4
15.3
42.2
23.9
10.1
100.0 %
(2,605)

Ideal life course

Unmarried working
DINKS
Compatible
Return to work
Housewife
Other/not statedTotal(number of samples)

3.3
4.1
19.3
29.7
32.5
11.1
100.0
(3,647)

Intended life course

9.5
2.6
14.7
45.8
19.2
8.2
100.0
(3,647)

9.3
3.0
15.5
42.9
17.7
11.6
100.0
(3,612)

2.3
21.9
38.8
27.7
9.2
100.0
(7,354)

Note: The life courses of married women results are from the 11th Survey on Birth Trends (survey of married couples) and thewivews whose duration of marriage was 15-19 years. See the glossary for more information on each life course.

Figure III-4-1 Ideal and intended life courses of unmarried women, classified by survey【Ideal】【Intended】

(%）

(%）

50

50

46
9th Survey(1987)
10th Survey(1992)

40

40

11th Survey(1997)

34
31

30

30

34 33
30

27

24

19
20

21

19

15

11 11
4

3

4

19

20

10

4 3

43

42

9

10

4

10

15

18

16

10

9

12
8

7
1

3

3

Other/not statedHousewife

Return to work

Compatible

Unmarried
working

Housewife

Return to work

Compatible

DINKS

Unmarried
working

Other/not stated

18

DINKS

0

0

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1
2) “Compatible” and “Housewife” ideals are not expected to be achieved.

When we surveyed views on "to what degree your ideal life course could actually berealized," the highest agreement rate was for the "Return to work" course, with a rate of only
45.9%, less than half. Among those who regard the "Compatible" or "Housewife" course as
ideal, the proportions who felt their choice could be realized were only 27.1% and 20.2%,
respectively. In both, half of them think they will actually end up taking the "Return to work"
course. It seems that the "Return to work" course is considered feasible, which can be seen as acompromise between those laying emphasis on working and those putting it onhousekeeping/child rearing.
Table III-4-2 Differences between ideal and presicted life courses forfemales
Ideal life

Total UnmarriedUnmarried working 100 %
DINKS
100
Compatible
100
Return to work
100
Housewife
100
Note:

36.1 %
22.6
8.7
8.2
5.5

Predicted life course
Returen to
Others/not
Compatible
Housewife
work
stated

DINKS
15.2
15.1
2.6
2.1
0.4

12.0
17.0
27.1
12.2
11.2

19.0
25.8
46.1
45.9
58.7

12.7
12.6
10.7
26.9
20.2

5.1
6.9
4.8
4.8
4.0

The highlighted figures are those for which the ideal life course agrees with the predicted life cour
The bold, underlined figures show the predicted life course which has the highest proportion among eachideal life course.

3) Unmarried men expecting a traditional "housewife" have sharply decreased.

Among the life course which unmarried males expect of females, "Return to work" is ranked
first, followed by "Housewife" and "Compatible." There are few who desire "Unmarriedworking," or "DINKS" where the couple has no children. Compared with the past surveys, thenumber desiring a "Housewife" has decreased dramatically, and the proportions wanting"Compatible" and "Return to work" have increased over the past ten years. But it is clear there
is a wide gap between these expectations of males and the ideal life courses desired by females.
In particular, about 30 percent of females consider "Compatible" their ideal, compared to only
17.0% for males. Contrary to this, 34.4% of females regard "Return to work" as their ideal,
compared to 43.4% of males, about a 9-point differential. On the other hand, compared withfemale intentions and male expectations, those proportions are almost in accord, except for"Unmarried working" (Figure III-4-3). This shows that the images the unmarried males andfemales have are close together, regarding realistic expectations of life course for females.
Table III-4-3 Survey-specific life courses which males expect of females

9th Survey(1987)

100 %(3,299)Unmarried
working
0.8 %

0.7

10.5

Return to
work
38.3

10th Survey(1992)
11th Survey(1997)

100
100

(4,215)

0.6

0.9

10.8

44.2

30.4

13.0

(3,982)

1.0

1.5

17.0

43.4

20.7

16.4

Total

Year of survey

DINKS

19

Compatible

Housewife
37.9

Other/notstated11.9

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

Table III-4-2 The life courses
expected by women【Male】

Table III-4-3 A comparison of ideal, intended
and expected life courses【Male and Female】

(%）

(%）

50

50

9th Survey(1987)

44

10th Survey(1992)
40

Ideal of female

38

11th Survey(1997)

45

43

40

38

43

Plan of female

43

Expectation of male

34

35

30
30

30

10

9

5

4
1

4

12
9

Other/not statedHousewife

Other/not statedHousewife

Return to work

16

3
2

0

Compatible

21

18

Return to work

DINKS

15

Compatible

1 2

13

17
16

DINKS

1 1 1 1

Unmarried
working

10

0

16
12

21

20

Unmarried
working

17
11 11

27

25

21
20

5. Desired number of children
1) The average desired number of children has fallen for both males and females

A distribution of the desired number of children for unmarried females shows that thosewanting 2 children are ranked first at 57.0%, followed by 3 children at 24.0%. The averagedesired number of children is 2.13, which has been gradually dropping from 2.29 since the 8th
Survey (1982). Compared with the ideal number of children/intended number of children fromthe survey of married couples, the desired number of children of the unmarried is on the samelevel with the intended number of children of the married (Figure III-5-1). The recent decreaseof the desired number of children among the unmarried is in accord with the trend of theideal/intended number of children of married persons.
Table III-5-1 Distribution of desired number of children and average desired
number of children for females by age
Desired number of children
Age
18-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
Total
(Males)
Total

Average desired number of children

Want
Total
no
childre100 %(531) 3.4 %
100(1,591) 4.6
100(791) 5.4100(305) 9.8
100 % (3,218) 5.1 %

1

2

3

4

4.3
7.0
7.0
16.7
7.5

56.5
57.4
57.0
55.4
57.0

28.2
24.5
24.7
11.8
24.0

2.4
1.8
1.5
0.7
1.7

0.8
1.1
0.8
0.3
0.9

100 %

5.4

62.1

20.7

1.2

1.1

(3,420)3.2 %Note: Those who intend to marry.

20

4.3
3.6
3.7
5.2
3.9

11th
Survey(1997)
2.25
2.16
2.13
1.76
2.13

10th
Survey(1992)
2.20
2.22
2.10
1.90
2.17

9th
Survey(1987)
2.29
2.26
2.18
1.83
2.23

8th
Survey(1987)
2.35
2.34
2.18
1.90
2.29

6.3

2.15

2.23

2.30

2.34

More Not
than 5 statedJournal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

Figure III-5-1 The desired, ideal, or intended number of children on
average, classified by survey
2.8
2.7

2.67

2.62人

2.64

Mallied couples - the ideal
number of children (reference)

2.6

2.53

2.5

Unmarried males

2.4

2.34

2.3

2.30

2.29

2.2

2.20

2.1

2.19

2.23

Unmarried females

2.0
9th Survey(1987)

2.17
2.15
2.13

2.17

Mallied couples - theintended numberof children (reference)

8th Survey(1982)

2.23

10th Survey(1992)

11th Survey(1997)

Note: Married couples - the ideal number of children/planned number of children are
based on the 11th Survey on Birth Trends.

2) Older unmarried subjects want to have a baby as soon as possible after marriage

As for the desired childbirth periods for unmarried females, many younger ones think"Sometime later after marriage," though the proportion who "Want a child as soon as possible
after marriage" is increasing as they grow older. In particular, that proportion exceeds 50 percent
for ages 30 and over. Compared to the 10th survey made five years ago, those who plan to havechildren "Sometime later after marriage" haven't increased much.
Table III-5-2 Distribution of desired childbirth periods, by age, for females
Desired chidbirth period
Age

18-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
Total

Total

Want a child assoon as possible
after marriage
100 %
(490)
27.6%
100
(1,461)
24.0
100
(716)
38.9
100
(259)
51.0
100 % (2,929)
30.6%

Want a childsometime later
after marriage
44.7
49.9
39.2
22.4
44.0

Have no idea

Not stated

27.1
25.4
21.1
24.7
24.6

0.6
0.8
0.7
1.9
0.8

Reference:10th
Survey (1992)
Want a childsometime later
after marriage
46.4%
46.7
41.9
22.3
42.7%

Note: Those intending to marry and have children.

3) Female children preferred

The proportion (classified by the desired number of children) who want more girls has been
increasing, especially in the case of 1 or 3 children plans (Table III-5-3). The proportion of boys
to girls also suggest that both males and females increasingly tend to want girls (Figure III-5-2).
Especially among unmarried females, girls exceeded boys for the first time in this survey.
Married couples also tend to want girls (from the survey of married couples).

21

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

Table III-5-3 Desired children sex ratio, classified by desired number ofchildren, and by sex【Male】The desired numberof children

Desired ratio of boy/girls
1 boy/no girls
no boys/1 girl
2 boys/no girls
1 boy/1 girlno boys/2 girls
3 boys/no girls
2 boys/1 girl1 boy/2 girls
no boys/3 girls

1 child
2 children

3 children【Female】
The desired numberof children

Desired ratio of boy/girls
1 boy/no girls
no boys/1 girl
2 boys/no girls
1 boy/1 girlno boys/2 girls
3 boys/no girls
2 boys/1 girl1 boy/2 girls
no boys/3 girls

1 child
2 children

3 children

8th Survey(1982)
80.0%
20.0
7.9%
91.0
1.1
2.4%
80.2
16.8
0.6

9th Survey 10th Survey 11th Survey(1987)(1992)(1997)
69.8
58.2
51.2
30.2
41.8
48.8
5.7
6.7
4.9
92.9
91.2
92.1
1.4
2.0
3.0
2.9
3.1
4.1
77.9
72.3
69.9
18.6
23.2
24.9
0.6
1.3
1.1

8th Survey(1982)
59.6%
40.4
1.3%
94.0
4.7
0.9%
67.0
32.0
0.1

9th Survey 10th Survey 11th Survey(1987)(1992)(1997)
51.8
40.5
36.4
48.2
59.5
63.6
2.9
3.9
1.9
91.4
90.6
89.8
5.7
5.6
8.3
0.7
0.7
1.7
62.0
62.2
50.5
36.5
35.3
46.8
0.8
1.8
1.0

Note: The same as Table III-5-2. The proportion desiring five or more children was omitted.

Figure III-5-2 Sex ratios, based on the desired combinations of children【Male】
100%

(132)

(127)

56.9%

56.0

【Female】(sex ratio =100×number of boys/
number of girls)
(121)

54.8

(114)

53.3

Proportion ofdesired boys

(108)

(104)

(103)

(93)

52.1%

51.2

50.8

48.3

47.9

48.8

49.2

51.7

8th Survey(1982)

9th Survey(1987)

10th Survey(1992)

11th Survey(1997)

50%

43.1

44.0

45.2

46.7

8th Survey(1982)

9th Survey(1987)

10th Survey(1992)

11th Survey(1997)

Proportion ofdesired girls0%

Note: Shows the proportion of boys/girls for desired combinations of children, for the unmarried who wish to have children after
marriage. The figures in brackets in the above graph are the sex ratio for each survey (the number of boys in contrast to 100
girls). The sex ratios for the ideal combinations of boys and girls from the survey of married couples is: 8th Survey(105),
9th Survey(99), 10th Survey(91), 11th Survey(85).

22

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

IV. The life-style and desires of unmarried persons - Current youth profile 1. The life-style of the unmarried
1) Males put emphasis on work and hobbies, while females are interested in travel, belongings, and friendships

In order to investigate the life-style of the unmarried, this survey asked them to mark items a- k shown in Table IV-1-1 as Appropriate or Inappropriate, when considering their life-style.
Males exceed females with regard to work and hobbies ("j. Have good chances of promotion at

Table IV-1-1 The life-style of unmarried males/females
Male

FemaleLife-style
Not stated Appropriated Inappropriate

Not statedAppropriated

Inappropriate

Often go on domestic or overseas toursa(other than business trips)b Tend to stick to personal belongings or clothes

20.4%

73.9

5.7

35.8%

60.0

4.2

46.0

48.9

5.2

60.3

35.6

4.2

c Have less money to buy wants or to use for likes

53.5

40.9

5.5

52.4

43.3

4.4

d Have many good friends

62.4

32.4

5.2

66.0

29.9

4.1

e Tend to have many freiends of the opposite sex

31.2

63.2

5.7

34.4

61.2

4.4

f Have hobbies or worthwhile career

58.4

35.9

5.8

44.9

50.5

4.6

g Don't know what to do with holidays or free time

38.0

56.7

5.3

31.2

64.5

4.3

h Won't feel lonely if I continue to live alone

37.1

56.8

6.1

28.3

67.0

4.8

i Have work worth doing

58.4

32.3

9.3

50.2

41.7

8.1

Have good chances of promotion at current job orjsuccess in business

39.0

50.2

10.8

19.3

71.7

9.0

k Often sacrifice personal life for work

47.6

42.5

9.9

39.2

52.5

8.3

Note: The subjects for items a-h were the unmarried between the ages of 18-34, 3982 males and 3,612 females.
Questions I, j, k were only for those who were working, 2,885 males and 2,600 females. “Appropriate” in thistable is the proportion of the total of “Appropriate” and If anything, appropriate.“ “Inappropriate” is similar.

Figure IV-1-1 Sex-specific life-style (the proportion of those who answered“Appropriate”)
80
Male
58

60

58
50

40

39%

66
60

54 52

48

46
39

38

37
28

20

62

Female

45

31

31

36

34
20

19

Go on trips otherthan business

Stick to personal
belongings or clothes

Have many good friends

Have many friends ofthe opposite sex

Have no money to
buy wants

Don't know what to dowith personal time

Won't feel lonely if
living alone

Sacrifice personal life
for work

Have work worth doing

Have hobbies or careef0

Have chances ofpromotion at work(%)

Items specific to females

Items specific to males

23

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

current job or success in business," male 39% and female 19%, "f. Have worthwhile hobbies orcareer," male 58% and female 45%), whereas females put emphasis on travel or personal
belongings ("a. Often go on domestic or overseas tours (other than business trips)," male 20%
and female 36%, "b. Tend to stick to personal belongings or clothes," male 46% and female60%). As to friendship (d, e), females had a slightly higher percentage. As regards other items,
there were more males who selected "g. Don't know what to do with holidays or free time,"
while more females feel lonely when "h. Continuing to live alone."2) Male's relationships with the opposite sex are compatible with work/hobbies, while females who have
"Friends of the opposite sex" are more active than those who have a boyfriend
Figure IV-1-2 Life-style (the proportion of those who answered “Appropriate”),
classified by the situation of their relationships
e.Friends of the
opposite sex(many)

Items related to personal
relationships【Male】

e.Friends of the
opposite sex(many)
Items related to(%)
personal relationships【Female】

(%)
48

48

42

40

18

18

44 38 34

h.Living alone(don't feel lonely)

49

d.Friends(many)
72 78

35 34

h.Living alone(don't feel lonely)

20
58

39
50
52

d.Friends(many)

58
69
69①Have aboyfriend/girlfriend

b.Clothes(stick to)

Items related
tohobbies/work

69 74

b.Clothes(stick to)②Have friends of the
opposite sex

f.Hobbies(worth doing)③Have no relationshipwith the opposite sex

f.Hobbies(worth doing)
(%)
68

(%)

62

67

【Male】

55【Female】

Items related
tohobbies/work

50
46

67 65

66 56

57

i.Work(worth doing)

22

35 36

53

i.Work(worth doing)a.Travel(ofter)a.Travel(ofter)21

49 53 60

23
32

35
49
54

j.Promotion(have a good chance)

j.Promotion(have a good chance)

Note: The subjects are unmarried, between the ages of 25-34, 1,678 males and 1,252 females (for items i and j, 1,546 males and
1,111 females). The details of their relationships are: “Have a boyfriend/girlfriend” (have a dating partner as a boyfriend/
girlfriend or fiance/fiancee) 26.3% for males and 35.0% for females, “Have friends of the opposite sex” (have a dating
partner as a friend) 15.9% for males and 15.3% for females, “Have no relationship with the opposite sex” (have no dating
partner) 48.7% for males and 42.3% for females.
〈Items related to personal relationships〉
e. Tend to have many friends of the opposite sex
d. Have many good friends
b. Tend to stick to personal belongines or clothes
h. Won't feel lonely if I continue to live alone〈Items related to hobbies/work〉
f. Have worthwhile hobbies or careera. Often go on domestic or overseas tours (other than business trips)
j. Have good chances of promotion at current job or success in busines
i. Have work worth doing24

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

How is life-style related to relationships with the opposite sex? We studied the life-stylespecific to 1 those having a boyfriend/girlfriend or fiance/fiancee, 2 those having a dating partner
as a friend, 3 those having no relationship with the opposite sex, among the unmarried between
the ages of 25-34. The values in Figure IV-1-2 show the proportions of those who answered"Appropriate" for each question. As to the items related to personal relations (b,d,e,h), thosehaving a dating partner, particularly those having a friend of the opposite sex, seem to be morepositive about friendships (d,e) or clothes/ belongings (b). Among females who have aboyfriend, there are a few more who would feel lonely living alone (h). Among the items related
to hobbies/work, there was a big difference between male and female. For males, those having
a dating partner, regardless of whether she is considered a girlfriend or a friend, are more positive
about hobbies or work, whereas females who have a dating partner as a friend have a morepositive life-style than those having a boyfriend.
2.

Views related to marriage and family

1) Negative feelings toward the traditional views of marriage are increasing, while the gap is still wide between
men and women

When we asked unmarried males and females if they agree or disagree with each of theviews on relationships with the opposite sex, marriage, family, etc. (items a - i) shown in Table
IV-2-1, more than 70% of the unmarried (males 78%, females 72%) agreed with "g. One ought
to have children if one gets married," and more than 60% (males 69%, females 59%) agree with"b. Men and Women should marry if they live together," which means they support the usual
Table IV-1-2 Views on marriage and family, of the unmarriedMaleViews on marriage and family

Agree

FemaleDisagree Not stated

Agree

Disagree Not stateda. It is not desirable to remain single for one's entire life

57.7%

36.0

6.2

49.1%

45.7

5.2

b. Men and Women should marry if they live together

69.0

24.9

6.0

59.3

35.9

4.8

c. Unmarried men and women may have sexula intercourse
if they love each other

81.8

11.7

6.6

81.3

13.2

5.5

d. One ought to have personal goals other than just getting
married and raising a family, even if one gets married

76.5

16.7

6.8

80.3

14.2

5.5

e. It is natural that one should sacrifice half of one's own
personality or life-style for the family

45.9

47.7

6.4

32.6

62.3

5.1

f. Husbands should work and wives should take care of
the home after marriage

45.8

47.8

6.4

31.5

63.5

5.0

g. One ought to have children if one gets married

77.9

15.3

6.8

71.5

23.3

5.2

h. No one should get divorced for a small reason such as
incompatible temperaments

62.0

31.4

6.7

47.3

47.3

5.3

i. Love and marriage are not the same

63.9

29.5

6.6

57.9

37.0

5.2

Note: The subjects are the unmarried, age 18-34, 3,982 males and 3,612 females. “Agree” in this table is the proportion of thetotal answers of “Agree totally” and “ If anything, agree.” “Disagree” is similar.

25

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

Figure IV-2-1 The proportjion of respondents who deny tradition and place emphasison the individual (compared with the previous survey)
Deny tradition, placeemphasis on the individual【Male】【Female】

100

100

10th Survey(1992)
11th Survey(1997)(%)
80

10th Survey(1992)
11th Survey(1997)

(%)

78

82
76 77

80

81

78 80

73
64
59

60

40
30

29

15

46

46

36

33

25
20

48
36

40

37

62

47

38

38

h.Should avoid divorce(disagree)

49

48

a.Not good to remain single for
one's entire life(disagree)

60

31
26

24

23

17

20
10

7

About the traditionalviews on marriage

About individual vs. family

d.Ought to have personal goals
aftermarriage(agree)e.Sacrifice personality athome(disagree)c.Accept sexual intercourse
before marriage(agree)f.Husband should work withwife staying home(disagree)

i.Love and marriage are
not the same(disagree)

g.Ought to have children(disagree)

d.Ought to have personal goals
aftermarriage(agree)e.Sacrifice personality athome(disagree)

h.Should avoid divorce(disagree)a.Not good to remain single for
one's entire life(disagree)c.Accept sexual intercourse
before marriage(agree)f.Husband should work withwife staying home(disagree)

i.Love and marriage are
not the same(disagree)b.Suould marry if
cohabition(disagree)

g.Ought to have children(disagree)

About the traditionalviews on marriage

b.Suould marry if
cohabition(disagree)00About individual vs. family

Note: Each item shows the proportion of those who agree or the proportion of those who disagree. The higher proportion (%)
shows that traditional views on marriage tend to be denied more stroungly. “i. Love and marriage are not the same” isonly for the 11th Survey.

family structure. However, 49% of females think "a. It is not desirable to remain single for one's
entire life," under 50% for this survey, which shows a growing tendency to accept lifelong
celibacy if need be. Compared with the previous survey taken five years ago, negative opinions
against "b. Men and Women should marry if they live together" (avoidance of cohabitation) and"f. Husbands should work and wives should take care of the home after marriage" haveincreased (disagree with b: 8% increase for males, 12% increase for females, disagree with f:
15% increase for males, 18% increase for females). Also in general, those showing a negative
attitude toward traditional views on marriage have increased, which suggests that the tendency
towards accepting views that put more emphasis on individuals than on the role of husband andwife or family has been accelerated (Figure VI-2-1). The same tendency was also observed forwives, according to the survey of married couples. In addition, this tendency is remarkable
among unmarried females, and the gap between men and women has widened as a result.
2) Those having more negative views on marriage tend to deny the traditional views on family, and putemphasis on the individual

How do views on marriage/family relate to the will to marry? We surveyed the differencesin family views between those who intend to marry in a year, and those who have no intention of26

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

marrying (including "will never marry"), among the unmarried subjects aged 25-34 (FigureIV-2-2). Except for "c. Accept sexual intercourse before marriage," those having no intention ofmarrying tend to deny the traditional views on family as well as emphasize the individual overthe husband and wife or family. In particular, there are clear differences among females, in whichthose who think "g. Ought to have children if married" were 78% of those intending to marry,
59% of "no intention," and those who think "f. Husband should work with wife staying home"were 39% of those intending to marry, 24% of "no intention." Both males and females who"have no intention of marrying" also tend to accept cohabitation (b) more easily.
Figure IV-2-2 Tendency to deny tradition and to emphasize the individual (Above bar
graphs are “Intend to marry,” below are “Have no intention”)【Male】

（％）
100

50

【Female】

0

50

100

Deny tradition
86%（Disagree）

23②Have no intentionof marrying in a year

74

48

（Agree）

78

19
29（Disagree）（Agree）

50

100

Traditional（Agree）（Agree）

45

86

11

84

13

（Disagree）（Disagree）

b.Men and Women should
marry if they live together（Disagree）

f.Husbands should work andwives should take care of thehome after marriage

32（Disagree）
43

66
53

31

66

38

58

（Disagree）

48

49

53

44

79

18

82

14

（Agree）（Agree）（Agree）（Disagree）

67

31

59

39

（Agree）

24

14

83
79

18

（Disagree）
Emphasize husband/wife and family

Emphasize
individual
a.It is not desirable to remain
single for one's entire life

（Disagree）

h.No one should get divorced
for a small reason such as
incompatible temperaments（Disagree）

e.It is natural that one
should sacrifice half of one's
own personality or life-stylefor the family（Disagree）

d.One ought to have personalgoals other than just getting （Agree）
married and raising a family,
even if one gets married（Agree）

56

41

73

（Agree）

59

38（Disagree）

c.Unmarried men and women
may have sexual intercourse if
they love each other（Agree）

Emphasize husband/wife and family

Emphasize
individual

78

20g.One ought to have children
if one gets married

68

49

52

（Disagree）（％）

0

Deny tradition

Traditional（Disagree）

50

11①Intend to marry in a
year

（Agree）

100

45

53

50

47

53

45

58

39

63

35

68

29

（Agree）（Agree）（Agree）

84

14 （Disagree）

82

15

Note: The subjects are unmarried aged 25-34, 1,678 males and 1,252 females (“Intend to marry” : male 52.9%, females 64.5%,“Agree” in this table is the proportion of the total of “Agree totally” and “If anything, agree.” “Disagree” is similar.
For more details about the intention to marry, see the Glossary( the steps of the will to marry).
〈Items related to traditional views on marriage〉
g. One ought to have children if one gets marriedb. Men and Women should marry if they live together
f. Husbands should work and wives should take careof the home after marriagec. Unmarried men and women may have sexual intercourse
if they love each other〈Items related to individuals vs. family〉
a. It is not desirable to remain single for one's entire life
h. No one should get divorced for a small reason such as
incompatible temperaments
e . It is natural that one should sacrifice half of one's own
personality or life-style for the familyd. One ought to have personal goals other than just getting
married and raising a family, even if one gets married27

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

Glossary
The conscious distance from marriage (the steps of the will to marry)
Based on multiple questions measuring the will to marry, the steps of the will to marry ofunmarried persons can be classified into the 6 steps shown in the Reference Table. Each ofthese steps is given a value in ascending order of closeness to marriage, which in this survey iscalled the conscious distance from marriage (comparison of the desired ages of marriage between
a group of those who attach importance to their age of marriage and a group who pursue an ideal
partner shows that the former is closer to marriage). Comparing these averaged values
classified by various groups will result in a comparison of the degree of will to marry among thegroups. In Figure IV-2-2, "Intend to marry" are 1-3, "No intention" are 4-6.
Reference Table The proportion and average values classified by the steps of the will to marry of the unmarried, and by age【Male】(Reference)“Want to marry in a year”(distance=1) “May marry (in a year) if the partner is ideal”

AgeGroup of “Have no intention of marrying yet”
Group ofthose who
those who
pursue an Group of those Group of “Will never marry”
attachthose who
importance to ideal partner who attach
importance to pursue an(=3)
the age of
ideal
partner
their
age
of
marriage(=2)(=6)
Not stated(=5)
marriage (=4)

Total(the number ofsamples)The
conscious
distancefrommarriage(Averaged
values)

The conscious distance frommarriage (Averaged values)

10th Survey

9th Survey

18-19

100% ( 621)

1.3 %

5.6

9.0

34.0

34.5

7.2

8.4

4.27

4.34

4.28

20-24

100 (1,683)

5.1

9.9

11.7

30.4

28.0

5.5

9.4

3.91

3.92

3.82

25-29

100 (1,149)

13.0

15.8

19.8

18.6

18.5

5.5

9.0

3.33

3.13

2.89

30-34

100 ( 529)

12.5

18.0

30.8

5.5

11.3

9.6

12.3

3.16

2.81

2.77

Total(18-34)

100% (3,982)

7.8 %

12.0

16.1

24.2

24.0

6.3

9.5

3.70

3.68

3.54

【Female】(Reference)“Want to marry in a year”(distance=1) “May marry (in a year) if the partner is ideal”

AgeGroup of “Have no intention of marrying yet”
Group ofthose who
those who
pursue an Group of those Group of “Will never marry”
attachthose who
importance to ideal partner who attach
importance to pursue an(=3)
the age of
their age of ideal partner
marriage(=2)(=6)
Not stated(=5)
marriage (=4)

Total(the number ofsamples)The
conscious
distancefrommarriage(Averaged
values)

The conscious distance frommarriage (Averaged values)

10th Survey

9th Survey

18-19

100% ( 606)

1.8 %

7.3

10.1

30.5

36.6

6.1

7.6

4.20

4.06

3.97

20-24

100 (1,754)

8.0

14.2

18.7

22.8

25.8

4.1

6.4

3.60

3.59

3.44

25-29

100 ( 908)

14.2

16.4

31.4

8.8

14.5

5.4

9.3

3.10

2.88

2.78

30-34

100 ( 344)

14.2

11.0

44.8

3.5

12.5

5.5

8.4

3.06

3.26

3.29

Total(18-34)

100% (3,612)

9.1 %

13.3

22.9

18.7

23.5

4.9

7.5

3.53

3.54

3.45

Note: The “Group of those who attach importance to the age of marriage” and the “Group of those who pursue an ideal partner” are the groups who answered “Will marry by a certain age”
and “Don't care about marrying unless I can find an ideal partner,” respectively.

Life course of females
The life course of a female means the type of life a woman leads, especially the five maintypes which combine work, marriage and child rearing established as below. In this survey, the28

Journal of Population and Social Security (Population) Vol.1 No.1

unmarried females were asked their ideal/intended life course and the unmarried males wereasked the desired life course they expect of females.
Unmarried working course: do not marry and continue to work
DINKS course: marry, but do not have children and continue to work
Compatible course: marry and have children, and continue to work
Return to work course: marry and have children, stop work for the child bearing/child rearing
period, then go back to work.
Housewife course: Stop working forever on the occasion of marriage or child bearing.

29