China has implemented several policies to address its declining population, yet marriage registrations dropped in the first nine months of 2024, according to data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Between January and September, 4.747 million couples registered their marriages, marking a year-on-year decline of 943,000, as per Reuters’ calculations.
The latest data was released on Friday, revealing a contrast to 2023 when 5.690 million marriages were registered over the same period, showing an increase from 2022. Economic uncertainty and high living costs have led many young people to postpone marriage—a concern for lawmakers focused on reversing the population trend.
China has recently revised laws to streamline marriage registration while making divorce more challenging. In the first three quarters of 2024, 1.967 million divorces were registered, showing a modest drop of 6,000 from the previous year.
Earlier this year, China reported its second consecutive annual decline in births, prompting the government to initiate projects in major cities aimed at encouraging marriage and childbearing. These initiatives have sparked widespread discussion on social media, as many young Chinese, citing job insecurity and economic concerns, choose to remain single or delay marriage.
President Xi Jinping also emphasized women’s essential role, urging the establishment of a “new trend of family.”
In response to the declining marriage and birth rates, China has introduced various incentives and policy adjustments across major cities to cultivate a pro-family culture. Some local governments have offered subsidies, housing benefits, and extended parental leave to ease the financial burden on young families. However, despite these efforts, many young Chinese remain reluctant to settle down due to concerns over job stability, high housing costs, and pressure to maintain a certain standard of living.
Public sentiment reflects a complex relationship with traditional family expectations, as seen in the popularity of social media discussions around the topic. Many younger Chinese express skepticism toward the government’s initiatives, questioning if these measures truly address the underlying economic challenges that impact their decisions around marriage and family planning.
Experts suggest that, in addition to economic incentives, China may need to address broader social concerns, such as gender equality in the workplace and support for work-life balance, to foster a family-friendly environment. As the world’s second-largest economy grapples with these demographic shifts, the effectiveness of government measures will play a crucial role in shaping the future of China’s workforce and social structure.
Meanwhile, President Xi Jinping’s appeal to women’s roles in building a “new trend of family” underscores the state’s reliance on cultural messaging alongside policy to encourage traditional family values. With demographic challenges becoming increasingly urgent, the coming years may reveal whether these efforts are enough to reverse the trend or if more comprehensive reforms are necessary.
