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Dating Assortativity in Japan: Evidence from a Retrospective Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Asako Chiba

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Kazuya Haganuma

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Taisuke Nakata

    (The University of Tokyo)

Abstract

We conduct a series of retrospective surveys to understand the evolution of dating assortativity in Japan. In the surveys, we ask about age, income, and employment type of our respondents and their dating partners. We find that the age assortativity has increased over the past ten years or so among age groups 25-29 and 30-34. The income assortativity has been stable, but we find some evidence for an increasing trend for the employment-type assortativity among regular employees.

Suggested Citation

  • Asako Chiba & Kazuya Haganuma & Taisuke Nakata, 2026. "Dating Assortativity in Japan: Evidence from a Retrospective Survey," CARF F-Series CARF-F-617, Center for Advanced Research in Finance, Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo.
    • Handle: RePEc:cfi:fseres:cf617
    as

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    File URL: https://www.carf.e.u-tokyo.ac.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/F617.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    5. Lasse Eika & Magne Mogstad & Basit Zafar, 2019. "Educational Assortative Mating and Household Income Inequality," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 127(6), pages 2795-2835.
    6. Gunter J. Hitsch & Ali Hortaçsu & Dan Ariely, 2010. "Matching and Sorting in Online Dating," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 100(1), pages 130-163, March.
    7. Asako Chiba & Naoki Maezono & Taisuke Nakata, 2025. "Dating and Marriage during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Japan," CARF F-Series CARF-F-609, Center for Advanced Research in Finance, Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo.
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