Decline in Chinese Marriages Amid Economic Slump

The number of Chinese couples getting married in the first half of the year has plummeted to its lowest level since 2013. Economic slowdown, high living costs, and changing attitudes are key factors driving this trend. The decline poses challenges for policymakers aiming to boost the population.

The number of Chinese couples who got married in the first half of this year fell to its lowest level since 2013, according to official data. This trend is fueled by a slowing economy and a rise in living costs, leading many young people to defer nuptials.

The number of marriages in China is closely tied to the number of births, and this decline is likely to frustrate policymakers who are working to boost a declining population. A total of 3.43 million couples married in the first six months of the year, a fall of 498,000 from the same period last year.

Many young Chinese are opting to stay single or delay marriage due to poor job prospects and uncertainties about the future. Although there was a slight uptick in 2023 following the easing of pandemic restrictions, the marriage rate is expected to drop to its lowest since 1980. Factors such as a declining young population, gender imbalance, high marriage costs, and evolving attitudes contribute to this trend.

Demographic expert He Yafu noted that without substantial childbirth support policies, changing the long-term decline in China's birth rate will be difficult. In response, China's Civil Affairs University has introduced an undergraduate program focused on marriage-related industries and culture, drawing criticism from social media users who questioned its relevance amid declining marriage rates.

(With inputs from agencies.)