World
China's Demographic Problem Is Steadily Getting Worse
Chinese children.
China's marriage registrations have reached a record low in 2022, posing challenges for policymakers attempting to address the country's declining birthrate and shrinking population, as reported by Asia Nikkei.
According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, only 6.83 million couples registered marriages, the lowest number since 1985 when data was first made available. This figure has been steadily declining since its peak in 2013 when 13.46 million marriages were registered.
Several factors contribute to this downward trend. Economic considerations play a significant role, as many couples delay getting married due to financial concerns, particularly in light of the country's struggle to generate sufficient employment opportunities for young people. Additionally, some individuals choose to remain single.
The decline in marriage rates exacerbates China's demographic challenges, as the country experienced its first population decline in six decades last year.
To address the falling marriage rates, the Chinese government has recently relaxed wedding registration procedures by extending an interregional pilot programme to 21 cities, including Beijing and Shanghai. This initiative allows couples who work and reside in these cities to marry without returning to their hometowns.
Recent economic data has shown challenges, including declining trade and factory activity. The unemployment rate among individuals aged 18 to 24 reached 20.4 per cent by the end of April.
The decrease in the number of marriage registrations may also reflect the frustrations of young Chinese individuals with excessive work demands and intense competition. This sentiment is symbolised by online movements like the "lie flat" trend, which advocates for rejecting societal pressures and consumerism.
The latest marriage data, published on Friday, also indicates a decline in divorces, with 2.1 million divorces recorded in 2022 compared to the peak of 4.7 million in 2019.
