Number of Marriages Declines Further in China, Jeopardizing Population Boost Plan

Hong Kong: A total of 3.43 million couples got married in China in the first six months of 2024, which is a drop of 498,000 from the same year-ago period, stated the data on marriage registrations.

It was found that the number of marriages in China is closely tied to the number of births. It is likely to China’s plans to boost child birth which is reducing for two consecutive years. Marriage rates have been declining in China since 2014.

Marriage is seen as a prerequisite for having children in China. Parents to present a marriage certificate to register their child and receive state benefits.

Now rising number of young Chinese are opting to stay single or delay their marriages due to poor job prospects and worries about the future.

The marriage rate in 2024 is expected to drop to its lowest since 1980, demographic expert He Yafu told the Global Times.

Reasons for the decline in marriage registrations include a decrease in the number of young people, a higher number of males in the marriageable population versus females, the high cost of marriage, and changing attitudes.