China’s Marriage Crisis: A Record Low in Marriages Amid Demographic and Economic Challenges

A Historic Decline in Marriages: China’s Latest Demographic Worry

China, the world’s most populous nation, is grappling with a mounting demographic crisis as the number of new marriages hit a record low in 2024. According to recent data released by China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs, only 6.1 million couples registered their marriages last year, marking a staggering 20.5% drop from the previous year. This is the lowest number since the ministry began releasing such statistics in 1986. The decline is even more stark when compared to the peak in 2013, when 13 million marriages were recorded. Today’s figure is less than half of that peak, underscoring the severity of the issue.

The sharp drop in marriages comes despite the Chinese government’s efforts to encourage young people to tie the knot and start families. After a brief rebound in 2023 following the relaxation of strict COVID-19 restrictions, the downward trend resumed in 2024, continuing a decade-long decline that began in 2013. The situation is further complicated by a slight increase in divorces, with nearly 2.6 million couples opting to end their marriages in 2024, an increase of 28,000 from the previous year. This dual challenge of fewer marriages and more divorces highlights the growing instability of family structures in the country.

The Link Between Marriages and Population Decline

The plummeting marriage rate is not just a social issue; it has significant implications for China’s economy and future. With fewer marriages comes a decline in births, which exacerbates the country’s already critical demographic challenges. China’s population has been shrinking for three consecutive years, despite a slight increase in the birth rate in 2024. The working-age population—defined as those between 16 and 59—declined by 6.83 million last year, continuing a worrying trend. Meanwhile, the population of people over 60 has grown to account for 22% of the total population, placing additional pressure on an economy that is already slowing down.

Chinese officials have long recognized the direct connection between fewer marriages and falling birth rates. In China, social norms and government regulations make it difficult for unmarried couples to have children. This reinforces the importance of marriage in driving population growth. However, despite these efforts, young people are increasingly delaying or forgoing marriage and childbirth altogether, driven by economic and social challenges.

Government’s Rising Efforts to Revive Marriage and Birth Rates

Faced with this grim reality, the Chinese government has rolled out a series of measures to reverse the trend. In recent years, officials have introduced financial incentives, organized blind dating events, and even hosted mass weddings in an attempt to encourage young people to marry. Some local governments have gone as far as handing out cash incentives to young couples who decide to tie the knot. Additionally, the government has sought to address the long-standing tradition of demanding large “bride price” payments from grooms to the bride’s family, which has often made marriage unaffordable for many men in rural areas.

Since 2022, the China Family Planning Association has also launched initiatives to create a “new-era marriage and childbearing culture.” These programs aim to promote the “social value of childbearing” and encourage young people to marry and have children at an “appropriate age.” Dozens of cities have been enlisted to participate in these campaigns, which include propaganda efforts to reshape societal attitudes toward marriage and family life. Despite these efforts, however, the desired results remain elusive.

Economic Hardships and Changing Attitudes: Why Policies Are Failing

The failure of these policies to stem the decline in marriages and births can be attributed to a combination of economic and social factors. Many young adults in China are grappling with high unemployment, soaring living costs, and a lack of robust social welfare support, especially as the economy continues to slow down. For these individuals, marriage and childbirth have become unaffordable luxuries. Life in China’s fast-paced, hyper-competitive society is increasingly exhausting, leaving little room for the commitments and responsibilities that come with starting a family.

This sentiment is reflected in a popular comment on Chinese social media platform Weibo: “Life is so exhausting, how could there be the courage to get married? Sigh.” Such expressions highlight the widespread reluctance among young people to take on the additional burdens of marriage and parenthood. Moreover, the decline in marriages and births is also linked to the long-term effects of China’s population control policies, such as the one-child policy, which was in place for decades. These policies have resulted in fewer young people of marriageable age, further exacerbating the demographic crisis.

Changing Attitudes: The Emerging Independence of Young Women

Another critical factor behind the declining marriage rate is the shifting attitudes of young people, particularly women. As more women gain access to education and financial independence, attitudes toward marriage are undergoing a transformation. Many are choosing to delay or entirely forgo marriage, often citing the challenges and discrimination they face in both the workplace and at home. In China, women are often expected to take on the bulk of childcare and household responsibilities, leaving them disillusioned with the institution of marriage. This is further compounded by widespread workplace discrimination and patriarchal traditions that dissuade women from pursuing careers and personal ambitions.

The growing independence and changing aspirations of young women have proven difficult for the government to counteract. Despite campaigns to promote marriage and childbearing, many women are opting for a different path, one that prioritizes personal goals and financial stability over traditional societal expectations. This shift marks a significant departure from previous generations and highlights the evolving values of Chinese society.

The Way Forward: Addressing the Root Causes of the Marriage Crisis

The record-low marriage rate in China serves as a stark reminder of the deep-seated challenges facing the country. To address this issue, officials must look beyond superficial measures like cash incentives and marriage promotion campaigns. Instead, they should focus on tackling the root causes of the crisis, including economic instability, high living costs, and workplace discrimination. Creating a more supportive environment for young people to marry and start families will require comprehensive reforms to China’s social and economic systems.

Additionally, the government must contend with the changing attitudes of young adults, particularly women, who are increasingly prioritizing personal independence and career success. This means addressing the systemic issues that make marriage and parenthood unappealing or unattainable, such as the lack of robust social welfare programs, unequal distribution of domestic responsibilities, and workplace discrimination.

In conclusion, the alarming decline in marriages in China is a symptom of broader demographic, economic, and social challenges. While the government’s efforts to encourage marriage and childbirth are well-intentioned, they have yet to yield meaningful results. To reverse this trend, China will need to adopt a more holistic approach that addresses the fundamental concerns of young people and creates a more supportive environment for building families. Only then can the country hope to halt its demographic decline and ensure a brighter future for generations to come.