China marriage rate spikes amid govt's efforts to beat low birth rates

Recent research has revealed that the number of newlyweds in China has spiked for the first time in nine years, with 7.68 million new weddings reported in 2023 — 12.4% higher than the year before, the BBC reported.

In an effort to target record-low birth rates, the Chinese government has been promoting marriage through campaigns which has resulted in 845,000 more marriages than in 2022, according to a recent report by the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

The controversial one-child policy imposed by the government in the 1980s has led the country to record declining birth rates. However, changes were introduced to the policy in 2015 and 2021 to try and boost population figures.

Additionally, China's Premier Li Qiang has pledged to promote a "a birth-friendly society" and "long term, balanced population development".

The state planner has also committed to improving policies to boost birth rates by reducing the costs of childbirth, parenting, education and improve parental leave policies.

China's population fell for a second consecutive year in 2023 with a record low birth rate, and deaths due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number of couples filing for divorce in 2023 increased, with 2.59 million couples registered for uncontested divorces. The Ministry of Civil Affairs has not yet released the number contested divorces.

Meanwhile, policymakers face challenges with a rapidly ageing population, with 300 million Chinese people expected to retire in the coming decade.

Other major Asian countries have also been addressing falling birth rates and aging populations.

South Korea has the lowest birth rate globally and Japan witnessed a record low 800,000 births in 2022. Meanwhile, Hong Kong recently announced HK$20,000 donation for each newborn to combat its low birth rate.