Why Is China’s Marriage Registration Rate Declining? Key Reasons Explored

The number of marriages in China during the first half of this year has dropped to its lowest level since 2013, according to official data. This decline is attributed to more young people postponing marriage amid a slowing economy and rising living costs.

Marriage rates in China are closely linked to birth rates, and this decrease could challenge policymakers who are striving to reverse a population decline that has persisted for two consecutive years. In the first six months of the year, 3.43 million couples married, a reduction of 498,000 compared to the same period last year.

Marriage is often seen as a prerequisite for having children, with various policies requiring parents to present a marriage certificate to register their child and access state benefits. However, many young Chinese are choosing to remain single or delay marriage due to uncertain job prospects and concerns about the future, as the economy shows slower growth.

The decline in marriage rates has been ongoing since 2014. Although there was a brief increase in 2023 due to pent-up demand following the easing of pandemic restrictions, the rate for this year is projected to fall to its lowest since 1980, according to demographic expert He Yafu in an interview with the Global Times.

Factors contributing to the decline include a decreasing number of young people, an imbalance in the marriageable male-to-female ratio, high marriage costs, and changing social attitudes. He Yafu noted that reversing the long-term decline in birth rates will be challenging unless substantial childbirth support policies are introduced.

In response to these trends, China's Civil Affairs University has launched a new undergraduate program focused on marriage-related industries and culture. This initiative has faced criticism on social media, with users questioning the relevance of such a course amid falling marriage rates.