The Children and Families Agency conducted a nationwide online survey from late May to early August 2026. It received approximately 68,000 responses from over 100,000 people aged 15 to 39, with 43,529 counted by July 23 [1, 2, 3].
The survey found that 35.1% of young unmarried respondents said they have no intention of getting married [1, 2, 3]. Among those, 53.1% said they simply do not wish to marry [1]. Almost 60% of this group cited valuing free time and hobbies over marriage as a key reason [1].
Economic factors also play a major role. About 40% of all respondents identified income worries as the biggest hurdle to marriage [1, 2, 3]. Additionally, 34.9% said they prioritize stable employment and income more than marriage [1].
The survey revealed varied marriage intentions among unmarried people: 10.3% hoped to marry within two to three years, 9.5% wanted to marry as soon as possible, and 37.5% aimed to marry eventually [2, 3].
This marks a slight decline in the refusal rate compared to 2025, when 46.5% of single people aged 16 to 49 reported no marriage intentions [1]. The findings highlight changing values among younger Japanese generation and concerns over economic stability.
The preliminary results of the survey were released on September 1, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. Research and discussions will likely continue as policymakers assess the implications of these shifting attitudes on Japan’s demographic trends.
