Marriages in China fell by a staggering 20% in 2024, marking the largest drop on record, according to data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Despite efforts by the Chinese government to encourage young couples to marry and start families, the declining marriage rate continues to exacerbate concerns about the country’s falling birthrate and aging population.

More than 6.1 million couples registered for marriage in 2024, compared to 7.68 million in 2023. Demographer Yi Fuxian from the University of Wisconsin-Madison highlighted the scale of the decline, noting that the current number of marriages is less than half of what it was in 2013.

“If this trend persists, the Chinese government’s political and economic ambitions will be severely hindered by its demographic weakness,” Fuxian warned.

Experts point to several factors driving the declining interest in marriage. High childcare and education costs, coupled with a slowing economy, have made many young people reluctant to start families. University graduates face difficulties finding stable jobs, leaving many uncertain about their future.

China’s birthrate has also been affected by decades of the one-child policy (1980–2015) and rapid urbanization. With around 300 million Chinese expected to enter retirement in the next decade, the government is scrambling to address the growing demographic crisis.

In 2024, Chinese authorities introduced several initiatives aimed at promoting marriage and family life. Colleges and universities were encouraged to offer “love education” to foster positive attitudes toward marriage and fertility. Local governments were also urged to spread awareness about the importance of childbearing and marriage at an appropriate age.

Despite these efforts, the country’s population continued to decline for the third consecutive year. While there was a slight rise in births during the Chinese zodiac year of the dragon—considered an auspicious time to have children—the increase wasn’t enough to reverse the overall trend.

Divorces also rose slightly in 2024, with more than 2.6 million couples filing for separation, up 1.1% from the previous year.

China’s marriage rate dropped by 20% in 2024, the largest decline on record, heightening concerns about the country’s shrinking birthrate and aging population.

China marriage rate decline

China’s marriage rate plunged by 20% in 2024, the largest drop on record. What’s causing this decline, and how is it linked to the country’s population crisis?