Marriages in China dipped to a historic low in 2022. According to a CNN report, 6.8 million couples registered marriages in 2022, the lowest since 1986, when available government data begins. In 2021, 7.63 million couples registered for marriage. The data comes as the country struggles with a declining birth rate and a fall in population.
The drop in couples tying the knot was the result of the pandemic when people were confined to their compounds or homes for several weeks together last year. Last year, China's birth rate dropped from 7.52 births per 1000 in 2021 to 6.77 births per 1,000 people. The country's population also shrank in 2022, for the first time in more than 60 years. Rising living costs, weak economic growth, and changing attitudes towards raising a family seem to have contributed to the fall in population. There's also been a decline in the population of younger people, partially a result of the one-child policy, which was adopted in 1979. The government lifted it in 2016 and now the government lets couples have up to three children.
Policymakers are worried about the downward trend in marriage and birth rates. Between 2010 and 2020, the average age for women to get married increased from 24 to 29. In a bid to increase the birth rate, local governments have been introducing policies such as free IVF and subsidies to encourage couples to have second and third children. Policymakers in March proposed that single and unmarried women have access to IVF and egg freezing and other services to boost the country's fertility rate. Reportedly, Chinese sperm banks are also appealing to college students to donate sperm after the country reported a negative population growth.
Some provinces are giving newlyweds an extension of paid marriage leave. However, thanks to China's ageing population, there are fewer people of marriageable age. According to data, China's divorce has declined since its peak in 2019. The government's stringent response to Covid-19 also seems to have an effect on youngsters' decision to not have children. 'We are the last generation' seems to be a catchphrase among the young. Gender inequalities and women moving to other countries for opportunities also seem to be a reason contributing to a decline in marriage.
