Marriage registrations in China drop for the first nine months of 2024
China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs reported a concerning decline in marriage registrations for the first nine months of 2024, further complicating the government’s efforts to address its sagging population levels. According to the latest data released on Friday, only 4.747 million couples registered their marriages nationwide, a decrease of 943,000 compared to the same period in 2023.
In 2023, the number of marriage registrations had seen a modest increase to 5.690 million in the first three quarters, raising hopes for a potential reversal of declining marriage rates. However, the current trend points to deepening challenges as young couples face rising living costs and economic uncertainty, which are leading many to postpone marriage.
In response to these demographic shifts, Chinese lawmakers have been actively revising policies to encourage marriage and childbearing. A new draft law aims to streamline the marriage registration process, while also making divorce more difficult in an effort to promote family stability. The data revealed that for the same period in 2024, there were 1.967 million divorces registered, reflecting a slight year-over-year decrease of 6,000.
The broader context of these trends includes a recent report showing a second consecutive annual drop in births, prompting the government to initiate various projects aimed at fostering a “new-era” culture of marriage and childbearing. These initiatives are especially focused on creating supportive environments for young families in major cities.
The topic of marriage and family planning has become increasingly contentious among young Chinese, with many opting for singlehood or delaying marriage due to concerns over job stability and the economic outlook. Social media discussions on this issue have gained significant traction, illustrating the disconnect between government policies and the realities faced by younger generations.
President Xi Jinping has also weighed in on the matter, emphasizing the vital role of women in establishing a “new trend of family” in a rapidly changing society. As China grapples with its demographic challenges, the future of marriage and family structures remains uncertain, with policymakers facing an uphill battle to shift cultural norms and encourage young people to embrace marriage and parenthood.
