China has recorded a record low number of marriages last year, with 6.1 million couples registering their unions, a 20.5% decline from the previous year. This marks a significant setback for Beijing’s efforts to boost population growth and counteract demographic decline.
The drop in marriages follows a decade-long trend since 2013, when marriage rates began to decline due to various factors, including the lifting of Covid restrictions. The number of divorces also increased by 28,000 last year, with nearly 2.6 million couples registering for divorce.
China’s population has been shrinking for three years in a row, and the working-age population has declined by 6.83 million. In contrast, the population over 60 has expanded to account for 22% of the total population. Officials attribute the decline in marriages to social norms and government regulations that make it difficult for unmarried couples to have children.
To address this issue, Chinese authorities have introduced various measures, including financial incentives, propaganda campaigns, and blind dating events. However, these efforts have been met with limited success, as young people are grappling with high unemployment, rising costs of living, and inadequate social welfare support.
Changing attitudes towards marriage, especially among young women who are becoming more educated and financially independent, also play a significant role in the decline. Women face widespread workplace discrimination and patriarchal traditions that make them less inclined to marry. Despite these challenges, Chinese officials remain committed to boosting population growth through various policies and initiatives.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/10/china/china-marriage-registrations-record-low-2024-intl-hnk/index.html