Wife-Older Marriages Increase by Approx. 1.9x: A New Era Where 'Husband-Older' Is No Longer the Default [2025 IBJ Marriage White Paper]

IBJ, Inc., which facilitates the highest number of marriages in Japan, has released the latest data on age differences between couples as part of the seventh installment of the '2025 IBJ Marriage White Paper,' based on an analysis of approximately 20,000 marriage records. The analysis reveals that the average age gap between spouses has shrunk by approximately 1.5 years over the past eight years, marking a transition in values from the traditional style of 'husband significantly older' to 'same-age marriages.'

Furthermore, the percentage of marriages where the wife is older has increased by approximately 1.9 times over eight years. The results suggest a growing trend of prioritizing shared values and lifestyles over traditional stereotypes of 'husband older, wife younger.'

Average Age Gap Shrinks by Approx. 1.5 Years in 8 Years An analysis of 9,394 couples who married in 2025 shows an average age gap of 2.77 years. This is a reduction of approximately 1.5 years (1.46 years) compared to 4.23 years in 2017. Cases of marriages with large age gaps are decreasing within marriage consultation services, with 'husband 2–3 years older' becoming the current standard.

Move Away From 'Age-Gap Marriage' Seen Primarily in 40s and Above When comparing 2017 and 2025 by age group, significant changes were observed among those aged 40 and older. In the 50s demographic, the average age gap shrunk significantly from 7.66 years to 3.57 years, and for those 60 and older, from 8.33 years to 3.06 years. In contrast, changes among those in their 20s and 30s remain relatively small, as they were already centered on same-age marriages. This data suggests that among the senior generation, there is a growing tendency to prioritize shared values and lifestyles over seeking partners 'a generation younger.'

The Backdrop of 'Dual-Income' Marriage Views The shrinking age gap is driven by the progress of dual-income lifestyles. Other analyses by IBJ also indicate a decrease in the 'husband as sole breadwinner' model and a spread of the mindset of building household income together as a couple. In an era where women also have stable incomes, the traditional view that 'husband older equals economic stability' is considered to be less prioritized than before.

Steady Increase in 'Wife-Older' and 'Same-Age' Couples Changes are also evident in terms of 'who is older.' Between 2017 and 2025, marriages with an older wife increased by approximately 1.9 times, from 9.1% to 16.8%. While 'same-age' couples also rose from 8.3% to 11.1%, the percentage of 'husband-older' marriages fell from 82.6% to 72.2%. More than one in four couples (27.8%) are now either 'same-age' or 'wife-older,' indicating that the stereotype that 'the man must be older' is fading. Furthermore, the average age gap for first-marriage couples is 2.66 years, and 3.49 years for couples including remarriages; both remain within the three-year range.