Young South Koreans look for love at Buddhist temple as country fights low birth rate

The South Korean government expects the country’s 51.8 million population to shrink by almost a third to 36.2 million by 2072.

Published: 12:00pm, 9 Aug 2026

Single men and women in their 20s and 30s gathered at South Korea’s Naksansa Temple for a two-day matchmaking retreat. Such events are being hosted in a bid to help reverse the country’s falling birth rate, which is among the lowest in the world.

Young South Koreans look for love at Buddhist temple as country fights low birth rate

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The South Korean government expects the country’s 51.8 million population to shrink by almost a third to 36.2 million by 2072.

The South Korean government expects the country’s 51.8 million population to shrink by almost a third to 36.2 million by 2072.