Guests' Wallets Get Heavier... Average Wedding Congratulatory Gift Reaches 117,000 Won

People in Their 20s and 30s Give the Highest Average Amounts
High-Value Remittances Increase Due to Marriage and Childbirth Gift Tax Exemption

The financial burden of congratulatory money that guests feel at weddings is steadily increasing. Recently, the proportion of 50,000 won congratulatory gifts has declined, while cases of sending 100,000 won or more have increased, leading to growing concerns among guests about "how much is appropriate" to give.

On May 14, NH Nonghyup Bank released the results of a trend report titled "How Much Should You Give as a Wedding Congratulatory Gift?" The report analyzed 5.33 million remittance transactions from 1.15 million customers who sent wedding congratulatory money between January 2023 and December 2025.

The average congratulatory money last year was recorded at 117,000 won. The average congratulatory money by year steadily increased, with 110,000 won in 2023, 114,000 won in 2024, and 117,000 won in 2025. The Asia Business Daily

According to the report, last year's average congratulatory gift was recorded at 117,000 won. The average congratulatory gift by year steadily increased: 110,000 won in 2023, 114,000 won in 2024, and 117,000 won in 2025. This marks a rise of about 6.9% over two years. By amount, the proportion of 50,000 won remittances was the highest at 42.3%, followed by 100,000 won at 39.7% and 200,000 won at 7.5%. However, recent trends show that the proportion of 50,000 won congratulatory money is decreasing, while gifts of 100,000 won or more are on the rise.

The proportion of 50,000 won remittances fell from 46.5% in 2023 to 42.3% last year. In contrast, the proportion of 100,000 won remittances increased from 36.1% to 39.7% over the same period, and 200,000 won remittances rose from 6.1% to 7.5%. High-value congratulatory gifts have also become more common. The share of gifts of 1 million won or more increased from 2.95% in 2023 to 3.17% last year, and those of 10 million won or more rose from 0.22% to 0.36% during the same period.

The financial burden of congratulatory money that guests feel at weddings is steadily increasing. Recently, the proportion of 50,000 KRW donations has decreased, while cases of sending 100,000 KRW or more have increased, deepening the dilemma among guests about "how much is appropriate." Getty Images

In particular, in 2024, the number of wedding-related remittances exceeding 100 million won increased by 14 times compared to the previous year. In 2025, this figure was 1.6 times higher than the previous year. NH Nonghyup Bank explained, "The marriage and childbirth gift tax exemption implemented in 2024 appears to have contributed to the increase in high-value congratulatory gifts." The marriage and childbirth gift tax exemption is a system that allows for up to 100 million won to be deducted from the taxable amount of gift tax when receiving a gift from a direct ascendant at the time of marriage or childbirth.

By day of the week, Saturday—when most weddings take place—accounted for the highest share of remittances at 33%. Many also send congratulatory money in advance, so Friday's share was 20%. Sunday accounted for 16% of remittances. By age group, those in their 20s and 30s gave the highest average congratulatory gifts at 138,000 won, followed by those aged 60 and older at 118,000 won, and those in their 40s and 50s at 107,000 won.

By region, Seoul had the highest average congratulatory gift at 134,000 won. Busan followed with 128,000 won, Gwangju with 124,000 won, and Incheon with 119,000 won. NH Nonghyup Bank analyzed, "Given that wedding-related expenses in Seoul are higher than other regions, it appears that people tend to prepare more generous congratulatory gifts to reflect this."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.