As China continues to grapple with a shrinking population, new data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs reveals a significant decline in marriage registrations for the first nine months of 2024. Only 4.747 million couples registered their marriages nationwide during this period, marking a year-on-year decrease of 943,000 couples. These figures, highlighted in a Reuters analysis of official data, underscore the ongoing challenge the country faces in encouraging young people to marry and start families.
This trend is a setback for Chinese lawmakers who have been working to counteract the country’s population decline through policy interventions and cultural campaigns. China has already revised laws to simplify marriage registration while making divorces more challenging to obtain. These policies, aimed at fostering family stability and encouraging population growth, are yet to yield the desired effect as economic pressures and shifting social values reshape young people’s attitudes toward marriage and family.
The drop in marriage registrations in 2024 follows an earlier increase observed in 2023, when 5.690 million couples registered to marry during the first nine months of the year. This year’s decrease signals a return to the downward trend China has experienced over the past decade. As marriage rates decline, so too do birth rates—a significant concern for a country with a rapidly aging population. Government data showed China’s birth rate dropped for a second consecutive year in 2023, prompting officials to launch initiatives to boost marriage and birth rates in major cities.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of reversing this trend. Recently, he called on Chinese women to play a “critical role” in family building, urging them to establish a “new trend of family” that aligns with the country’s demographic goals. His remarks reflect a broader government effort to revive traditional family structures while fostering a “new-era” culture that celebrates marriage and childbearing.
China’s economic climate is a primary driver behind the decline in marriage registrations. Many young adults are struggling to secure stable employment and affordable housing, which has caused them to delay or forego marriage altogether. Urban centers, particularly megacities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, have seen a significant rise in the cost of living, further deterring young couples from committing to long-term partnerships and family planning. The price of housing, healthcare, and education has soared, forcing many young adults to prioritize financial security over starting families.
Additionally, China’s ongoing economic slowdown, partly due to structural issues and the lingering impact of COVID-19, has left many young people uncertain about their future. Job prospects for young graduates remain bleak in many sectors, and wages have stagnated in several industries. This economic backdrop has bred a widespread sense of apprehension among the younger generation, causing them to question the feasibility of marriage and family life in today’s China.
Beyond economic constraints, cultural shifts are also shaping the attitudes of young Chinese toward marriage. Many young people increasingly view “singlehood” as a desirable lifestyle, valuing personal freedom and career aspirations over traditional marital expectations. The idea of “lying flat,” or “tangping,” has become popular among young Chinese, symbolizing a quiet rebellion against societal pressures to marry and conform. Additionally, online discussions on platforms like Weibo reflect a growing skepticism toward marriage, with many users voicing concerns about the burdens of family life and the inequalities women often face in traditional marriages.
Women, in particular, are showing a stronger inclination to delay or avoid marriage. Educational attainment among women has risen steadily, and more women are prioritizing their careers, financial independence, and personal well-being over traditional roles. This shift has led to intense discussions online, as women weigh the social expectations imposed on them against their own desires and ambitions.
The government’s attempts to encourage marriage by framing it as a patriotic duty have sparked debate, with some young people questioning whether such an approach is compatible with their personal aspirations. A recent social media trend captured this sentiment, with users debating whether marriage and childbearing should be seen as obligations or personal choices. These debates have revealed the gap between government policy objectives and the preferences of a modern, urbanized younger generation.
In response to these challenges, the Chinese government has enacted a series of policy reforms aimed at making marriage more accessible and divorce less so. Earlier this year, legislators revised the marriage registration process to streamline bureaucratic procedures, aiming to reduce delays and ease the logistical burdens on couples who wish to marry. Conversely, divorce procedures were tightened, reflecting the government’s belief that strengthening marital bonds is essential to long-term social stability and population growth.
The revised laws impose stricter requirements for divorce, making it harder for couples to separate. The government hopes that these changes will discourage impulsive divorces and encourage couples to work through marital issues rather than parting ways. While these measures may help stabilize existing marriages, they are unlikely to resolve the root causes of marriage hesitation among young people, especially as economic and cultural factors remain largely unaddressed.
Local governments across China have also implemented initiatives to address the declining marriage and birth rates. Major cities like Shanghai and Hangzhou have introduced financial incentives for newly married couples and subsidies for couples with children. These programs aim to reduce the financial burden of marriage and parenting, addressing some of the concerns young people have about starting families.
In addition to financial support, some cities have launched public campaigns promoting a “new-era” family culture that emphasizes the joys of marriage and parenthood. These campaigns aim to counter the growing popularity of “singlehood” by framing marriage as a fulfilling and desirable life choice. However, critics argue that these initiatives overlook deeper societal and economic issues that make marriage and family life challenging for young people.
The government’s emphasis on family values has met with mixed reactions. While some appreciate the efforts to celebrate family life, others feel that these campaigns gloss over the harsh economic realities that prevent many from marrying or having children. For some, the government’s portrayal of family as a cornerstone of Chinese culture feels out of touch with the economic and social struggles faced by young people in urban areas.
President Xi’s comments on the role of women in establishing a “new trend of family” have reignited debates about gender expectations in China. Traditionally, women have been expected to marry and have children early in life, often prioritizing family responsibilities over career ambitions. However, as more women enter the workforce and pursue higher education, they are increasingly unwilling to adhere to these traditional expectations.
Many young Chinese women now view marriage as a partnership based on equality and mutual respect, challenging traditional views that prioritize family duties over personal goals. This shift has led to a reassessment of gender roles, with some women questioning whether marriage can accommodate their aspirations for personal growth and financial independence.
The government’s call for women to prioritize family roles has been criticized by some as an attempt to limit women’s freedom of choice. In recent years, China’s gender imbalance has exacerbated the pressure on women to marry, as a surplus of men in rural areas has led to increased societal expectations for women to fulfill traditional family roles. However, these expectations often conflict with the aspirations of young women, many of whom are actively seeking to define their own paths.
Social media platforms like Weibo and Douyin have played a significant role in shaping public attitudes toward marriage and family in China. Online, young people openly discuss their frustrations with societal expectations, high living costs, and the economic uncertainty that discourages them from marrying. Hashtags related to singlehood, career focus, and discussions around marriage trends regularly go viral, amplifying the voices of those who feel pressured to conform to traditional life paths.
One popular topic that has emerged is the “double-income, no-kids” (DINK) lifestyle, which is gaining traction among young couples who wish to prioritize their careers and personal interests over raising children. This trend challenges the government’s calls for increased childbearing, as more couples express a preference for maintaining a dual-income household without the financial and emotional demands of parenting.
These conversations have highlighted the gap between the government’s pronatalist policies and the personal choices of young people, many of whom are reluctant to sacrifice their independence and financial stability for the demands of family life.
