By Lucy Adautin
The number of Chinese couples marrying in the first half of this year dropped to its lowest point since 2013, according to official data.
Many young people are postponing marriage amid economic slowdown and rising living costs.
The marriage rate in China is closely linked to birth rates, and this decline poses a challenge for policymakers striving to increase the population, which has been decreasing for years.
A total of 3.43 million couples married in the first six months of the year, a decrease of 498,000 compared to the same period last year, as shown by marriage registration data.
Marriage is often seen as essential for having children due to various incentives and policies, including the requirement for parents to present a marriage certificate to register their child and receive state benefits.
Most young Chinese are now choosing to remain single or delay marriage due to poor job prospects and economic uncertainties as growth in the world’s second-largest economy slows.
Since 2014, marriage rates in China have been on the decline.
While there was a slight increase in 2023 due to pent-up demand after the lifting of pandemic restrictions, this year’s rate is projected to be the lowest since 1980, according to demographic expert He Yafu.
The drop in marriage registrations can be attributed to several factors: a decrease in the number of young people, a higher proportion of males compared to females in the marriageable population, the high cost of marriage, and changing societal attitudes, He explained.
“The long-term declining trend in China’s birth rate will be difficult to reverse unless substantial childbirth support policies are implemented to address this challenge,” He noted.
In response, China’s Civil Affairs University has introduced a new undergraduate program focused on marriage to promote marriage-related industries and culture. However, this move has been met with skepticism on social media, where users questioned the need for such a course given the declining marriage rates.
