China’s marriage rate has sharply declined, with registered marriages falling below 5 million for the first time in January- September this year. This represents a 17% decrease from last year, with just 4.74 million couples tying the knot.
As more young people delay or avoid marriage, concerns about China’s declining birth rate have intensified. If current trends continue, experts predict that the total number of marriages in China this year could reach its lowest point since 1985.
According to recent data from China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs, the number of marriages from January to September 2024 dropped by 940,000 compared to the same period in 2023. This marks the lowest level since 2007 when quarterly marriage statistics were first made available. The current figure is less than half of the peak year in 2013, which saw 9.76 million marriages.
Assuming that around 1.9 million couples marry between October and December—based on the average of the past five years—the total number of marriages for 2024 is projected to reach only 6.6 million, the lowest since 1985. Some experts warn that the number could fall below 6 million if current trends hold.
The decline in marriages is attributed to economic downturns and other factors. A lack of consumer demand has delayed corporate profit recovery, and youth unemployment remains high. Moreover, as education levels rise, the costs of raising children have increased, leading more young people to hesitate about marriage.
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