Is Marriage Becoming Too Expensive? Eye-Popping Rise in ‘Bride Prices’ in China Explained

A sharp rise in “bride prices” in China has become a social issue. The Japanese newspaper Nikkei recently reported this absurd phenomenon in Chinese society.

According to a survey by Wuhan University, the national average bride price has reached approximately 140,000 yuan (approx. $19,500), a significant increase from the 10,000 to 20,000 yuan (approx. $1,400 to $2,800) range before 2007, which spiked sharply after 2008.

There are two main factors for this rise in bride prices. First, many rural families and farm households have moved to cities for better educational opportunities for their children, which has led to higher living expenses. Second, advancements in technology have heightened the preference for male children, making women seem more scarce and, therefore, more valuable.

In eastern China, Shanghai, Fujian Province, and Jiangxi Province have exceptionally high bride prices. This is likely due to a combination of gender imbalance, women’s outmigration, and high living costs.

The demand for high bride prices has led to a trend among younger generations to shy away from marriage. According to China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs, marriage registrations in the second quarter of 2024 dropped by 18% compared to last year, totaling just 1.46 million couples. This figure marks the second-lowest level on record, following the pandemic’s fourth quarter of 2022, which saw 1.39 million couples.

In December 2023, China’s Supreme Court issued rulings on disputes over bride prices, determining that the decision to return the bride price depends on the length of the marriage and whether children are involved. In February, the court clarified how bride prices should be recognized and the principles governing their return.

Local governments are actively addressing the issue of bride prices. In Luoyang City, Henan Province, volunteers visit elderly households to encourage more moderate bride price practices and promote a modern approach to marriage. Despite these efforts, many young people remain concerned about the financial pressures associated with marriage. For instance, a man in his thirties who attended a matchmaking event in Guangzhou commented, “The combined pressure of buying a house and meeting excessive bride price demands might force some to reconsider marriage altogether.”

Japanese sociologist Ueno Chizuko recently highlighted in an online discussion with a Chinese author that “Chinese society is increasingly focused on materialism.”