Beijing: China witnessed a historic low in new marriages in 2024, with just 6.1 million couples registering their unions, a drastic 20.5% decrease from the previous year, according to the latest statistics from China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs. This number represents the lowest marriage rate since records began in 1986 and comes despite vigorous efforts by the government to boost marriage and birth rates to counteract demographic decline.
The decline in marriages is part of a decade-long trend, briefly interrupted in 2023 due to the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, but resumed with vigor last year. The 2024 figure is less than half of the peak 13 million marriages recorded in 2013.
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Alongside the drop in marriages, the data also highlighted a slight uptick in divorces, with nearly 2.6 million couples ending their marriages, an increase of 28,000 from 2023. This comes even as a 30-day “cooling-off” period for divorce, introduced in 2021, has been criticized for potentially trapping individuals in unhealthy relationships.
The demographic implications are stark for China, facing a shrinking workforce and an aging population, which exerts additional pressure on the world’s second-largest economy. The working-age population (16-59 years) saw a decrease of 6.83 million, while the over-60 demographic expanded to 22% of the total population.
To address this demographic crisis, Chinese authorities have implemented various strategies aimed at encouraging marriage and childbirth:
Financial Incentives and Propaganda: Local governments have provided cash incentives, organized blind dating events, and mass weddings.
Cultural Campaigns: Efforts to reduce the financial burden of traditional “bride price” and promote a “new-era marriage and childbearing culture” through programs in multiple cities to highlight the societal benefits of having children.
Despite these initiatives, young Chinese adults remain hesitant, influenced by factors such as high unemployment, escalating living costs, and inadequate social welfare systems. Social media platforms like Weibo reflect this sentiment, with comments like, “Life is so exhausting, how could there be the courage to get married? Sigh,” indicating a broader disillusionment with the traditional path of marriage and family.
The reluctance to marry and have children is also rooted in changing societal norms, particularly among young women who are increasingly educated and financially independent. These women face workplace discrimination and traditional expectations around domestic responsibilities, leading many to question or outright reject marriage.
The government’s previous policies, including the long-standing one-child policy (ended in 2015, followed by two- and then three-child allowances), have also contributed to this situation by reducing the number of young people reaching marriageable age.
As China grapples with these demographic shifts, the effectiveness of its current strategies remains questionable, with the broader societal changes and economic challenges continuing to shape the future of marriage and family in the nation.
