Beijing: China’s marriage rate has hit a record low in 2024, with fewer couples tying the knot despite government efforts to promote marriage and childbirth. Meanwhile, the number of divorces continues to rise, highlighting a shifting societal trend.
Marriage Rates Plummet
According to China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs, only 6.1 million couples registered their marriages in 2024. This marks a staggering 20.5% drop from the previous year and is the lowest figure since records began in 1986. The decline continues a decade-long trend, with marriage numbers halving since their peak of 13 million in 2013.
The fall in marriages has significant implications for China’s economy. With a shrinking workforce and an aging population, fewer marriages mean fewer births, accelerating demographic challenges.
Divorces on the Rise
While fewer people are getting married, divorce rates are increasing. In 2024, nearly 2.6 million couples filed for divorce, up by 28,000 from the previous year. This trend persists despite the introduction of a mandatory 30-day “cooling-off” period in 2021, designed to discourage impulsive divorces. Critics argue that this policy makes it harder for people, especially women, to leave unhappy or abusive marriages.
Government Efforts to Reverse the Trend
Recognizing the link between marriage and birth rates, the Chinese government has launched several initiatives to encourage young people to marry and start families. These include:
- Financial incentives – Cash bonuses for newlyweds.
- Mass weddings and dating events – Organized to help singles find partners.
- Regulation of bride prices – Reducing expensive dowries to make marriage more accessible, especially in rural areas.
- Propaganda campaigns – Promoting the social and economic benefits of marriage and childbirth.
Despite these efforts, young people remain reluctant to marry due to economic instability, high unemployment, and rising living costs.
Changing Attitudes Toward Marriage
Cultural and societal shifts also contribute to the decline. Many young women, now more educated and financially independent, are delaying or forgoing marriage. Workplace discrimination, unequal expectations in childcare and housework, and patriarchal traditions further discourage them from marrying.
Additionally, China’s past policies aimed at controlling population growth have left fewer young people of marriageable age. Although the government relaxed the one-child policy in 2015 and later allowed up to three children, the trend of declining marriages and births has not reversed.
What’s Next for China?
China’s shrinking population poses long-term economic and social challenges. While the government is trying to boost birth rates by promoting marriage, success remains uncertain. Many young people continue to prioritize career stability and personal freedom over traditional family life. If these trends persist, China may need even stronger policies to counteract its demographic decline.
