This study categorizes marriage types into downward, homogamous, and upward marriages based on the relative income levels between spouses, and empirically analyzes the effects of income and assets on the determination of marriage type. Using data from...
This study categorizes marriage types into downward, homogamous, and upward marriages based on the relative income levels between spouses, and empirically analyzes the effects of income and assets on the determination of marriage type. Using data from the Korea Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS) waves 1 to 19, binary and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted on 300 couples whose year of marriage was clearly identified. The results show that women’s income is positively associated with the likelihood of homogamy, while men’s income shows no significant association. In addition, assets function as a strategic resource that compensates for insufficient income; individuals with higher asset levels are more likely to marry upward, choosing spouses with higher income levels. These findings suggest the presence of structural constraints on interclass marriage in the Korean marriage market and provide implications for policies aimed at reducing inequality in marriage opportunities.