China: Marriage crisis deepens as registrations plummet despite government push

Marriages in China declined by 20% last year, despite authorities ramping up efforts to encourage young couples to wed and start families.

According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, only 6.1 million couples registered for marriage in 2023, a sharp drop from 7.68 million the previous year.

The reluctance to marry and have children has been attributed to soaring childcare and education costs, compounded by sluggish economic growth and job market instability.

Young professionals, particularly university graduates, are increasingly hesitant to commit to marriage amid financial uncertainty.

China, home to 1.4 billion people, faces a rapidly aging population. The decades-long decline in birth rates—exacerbated by the one-child policy (1980-2015) and urbanization—has created a looming demographic crisis.

Within the next decade, nearly 300 million Chinese citizens, equivalent to the U.S. population, are expected to retire, placing immense strain on the economy.

Authorities have responded with various initiatives, including urging universities to introduce “love education” courses promoting marriage, family, and fertility.

In November, the State Council instructed local governments to allocate resources toward reversing the population decline and fostering a culture that values marriage and childbirth.

While the Year of the Dragon saw a slight uptick in births, China’s population continued its three-year downward trend. Meanwhile, divorce rates edged up, with over 2.6 million couples filing for separation, marking a 1.1% increase from 2023.