Love on the Dole? Five Countries Paying Citizens to Tie the Knot

In an era where the rising cost of living often overshadows romance, a growing number of governments are taking a rather unconventional approach to boost their economies and demographics: literally paying people to get married. While this sounds like a plot from a quirky romantic comedy, it’s a very real policy trend across several nations. From Asia to Europe, these financial incentives are designed to counter falling birth rates, brain drain, and the financial strain that often keeps young couples from formalising their unions.

Leading the charge is South Korea, a country facing a demographic crisis. Local districts, particularly in rural areas, offer substantial bonuses—sometimes exceeding $8,000—to men who marry foreign brides. Beyond the cash, the government also subsidises housing and medical check-ups to ensure the new families stick around. Similarly, Japan has seen municipal governments step up, offering anywhere from $2,000 to $12,000 per child, but the kicker is a one-time “couples bonus” for those who simply sign the marriage certificate before a certain age.

Over in Europe, the tiny enclave of Andorra offers a different deal. Rather than a one-off payment, the state provides a mortgage subsidy for newlyweds, effectively knocking a significant chunk off their monthly housing costs for the first five years. In the Russian Far East, a “Family and Love” grant is awarded to couples where one partner is under 30, intended to anchor young professionals to the region. Finally, Hungary—a frequent outlier in the West—has the most generous long-term program: women under 40 who marry and have children are eligible for a massive, forgivable loan. If they have two children, the debt is entirely wiped out.

While critics argue these incentives can’t create true love, the data suggests the money does get couples to move faster. In Budapest, a city where rent is notoriously high, we have to ask—could a similar scheme ever work here? For now, the Australian government isn’t offering to foot the bill for your wedding. But if you have the cash to fly to the Northern Territory, sorry, that’s not on the list either. For now, local romantics will have to save up the old-fashioned way.