China experienced a fall of more than 20 % of the number of marriages in 2024, a symptom of the demographic challenge that the country competes, many Chinese hesitating to have children for economic reasons. Thus, a total of 6.1 million couples convinced last year, against 7.7 million in 2023, according to data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
This 20.5 % drop coincided with the third consecutive year of decline in the Chinese population. China was exceeded in 2023 by India as the most populous nation in the world. The Asian giant had 1.408 billion inhabitants at the end of 2024, against 1.410 billion a year earlier. This trend is a serious problem for a country that has long relied on its abundant labor to ensure its growth.
Very rare births outside weddings
This drop in the number of marriages occurs despite various incentive campaigns of the Chinese authorities, which grant subsidies and encourage couples to have more children. But many hesitate to have babies. Among the main reasons are the high cost of education, between daycare costs and private courses, often deemed essential to guarantee the child’s academic success.
Marriage is an almost compiled passage in China before having a child. Births outside marriages are extremely rare because they are frowned upon and do not offer the same level of recognition and protection.
On the Weibo social network, most Internet users were welcoming this Monday of this fall in the number of weddings. “It’s great! Everyone seems to have understood” her uselessness, comments a user. “No marriage, no baby, it’s a life of happiness guaranteed!”, Philosophed another. “Wedding is really a bet. A risky bet on half of her life …” said a surfer.
Pressure on retirement and health systems
Many report economic difficulties in explaining the trend. “Without my parents, I just couldn’t afford to buy accommodation […] Being single is also very good. I don’t have as much pressure, I earn and I spend my own money, “noted one user. Another, finally, seemed to have found the solution:” I prefer to live with a friend and spend my old days with her ! “, An idea that is gaining ground in China.
China put an end in 2016 to its only child policy, imposed since the early 1980s due to fears of overcrowding. Since 2021, it has authorized all couples to have three children. But these measures did not reverse the demographic decline. With an increasing proportion of elderly people, the country faces increased pressure on retirement and health systems.
From 2025, the legal retirement age for men will be gradually increased to 63, against 60 years now. For women, it will go from 50 to 55 years, or from 55 to 58 years, depending on the type of work.