In 2024, China set a new record in the “who wants to get married?” game: only 6.1 million couples tied the knot, marking a 20.5% drop from the year before. This is the lowest number ever since the Ministry of Civil Affairs started keeping track in 1986. And no, it’s not a typo—this is what happens when your attempts to get young people to say "I do" are more "meh" than "wow."
Despite the government rolling out every trick in the book to encourage marriages—from financial incentives to blind date events (because who doesn’t love speed dating with a crowd?)—young people are just not biting. Some cities even went as far as offering cash for couples to walk down the aisle. You’d think that would do the trick, but it seems cash isn't quite as appealing as a life of freedom, Netflix, and no wedding prep stress.
Meanwhile, divorces are on the rise. Nearly 2.6 million couples filed for divorce last year, an increase of 28,000 from 2023. It seems the government’s 30-day "cooling off" period (yes, you have to wait a whole month to rethink your decision to split) isn’t helping much. If anything, it might just be a test of patience rather than reconciliation.
And it’s not just about marriage anymore. China’s population is shrinking for the third consecutive year, and the working-age population is dropping while those over 60 are multiplying—now making up 22% of the total population. So, fewer weddings, fewer babies, and more retirees? Not exactly the recipe for an economic boom.
The government has launched campaigns to create a "new-era marriage and childbearing culture," but it’s safe to say that young people are busy navigating things like skyrocketing living costs and rising unemployment. In a world where it’s hard to pay rent, let alone raise kids, marriage is starting to feel more like an optional hobby than a life goal.
Even with the end of the one-child policy and new incentives to have more children, including the permission for three kids per couple, the birthrate continues to tumble. Young women, in particular, are becoming more educated, independent, and — let’s face it — fed up with outdated expectations. After all, why settle for a lifelong partnership when you can just enjoy the perks of freedom, a solid career, and no household chores forced upon you?
In short, China's government might have to roll out an entirely new campaign—“To Marry or Not to Marry, That Is the Question.” Because right now, it seems like the only thing getting “married” is the idea of a serious love affair with personal freedom!
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