Declining Birthrate Without Marriage...Why 1.4 Billion-Population China Changed Its Policy [China Spotlight]

Declining Marriages and Birth Rates
China Seeks Policy Changes
Alters Marriage and Divorce Procedures
Establishes New Marriage-Related Academic Programs

As the number of marriages decreases and the birth rate falls, China, with a population of 1.4 billion, is seeking policy changes. The government has omitted previously mandatory steps in the marriage registration process and added a reconsideration period after filing for divorce. Beijing Minzheng Vocational College has also established a new department called 'Marriage Services and Management.'

Chinese media outlets such as Sina.com have recently cited increased marriage costs, financial pressures, and changing perceptions of marriage and childbirth as reasons for the sharp decline in marriage registrations. In the first half of this year, China recorded 3.43 million marriage registrations, nearly 500,000 fewer than the 3.928 million in the same period last year. The number of marriage registrations has been decreasing annually since 2014. Along with the decline in marriages, the birth rate has also dropped. Last year, the number of newborns in China was 9.02 million, with a birth rate of 6.39%, the lowest figure since 1949.

Making Marriage Easier, Divorce Harder

Photo by Baidu

China is pushing for revised laws that simplify marriage while making the divorce process more complicated. The Ministry of Civil Affairs recently published a draft amendment to the 'Marriage Registration Regulations' on its website and is collecting public opinions until the 11th of next month.

According to the amendment, the requirement to submit a hukou booklet (a family registration document indicating residence) when registering a marriage has been removed. Previously, individuals had to register their marriage in the location where their hukou was registered, causing inconvenience for those who had moved to other regions. The draft also includes a provision granting a 30-day reconsideration period after filing for divorce. If either party withdraws the divorce application within 30 days, the divorce registration process can be terminated.

A Ministry of Civil Affairs official explained, "With rapid economic and social development, more people are living outside their registered hukou locations," as the reason for abolishing the hukou submission requirement. Regarding the reconsideration period for divorce, the official said, "This measure aims to reduce impulsive and hasty divorces." The official added, "We will strengthen legal publicity and education nationwide and provide emotional communication, psychological counseling, and relationship restoration services to divorcing parties through marriage and family counseling services."

China Opens Its First Marriage-Related Department

In May this year, the Ministry of Education established the 'Marriage Services and Management' department at Beijing Minzheng Vocational College. The admissions process has concluded, filling all 70 available spots. The school reported receiving 20 to 30 inquiry calls daily, indicating strong interest.

The department offers studies in family culture, family ethics, and the marriage industry. It was created to promote the development of marriage and family culture and to advance reforms in marriage customs. For vocational training, the campus includes a wedding hall and a marriage registration practice center. Students practice various types of weddings, including traditional ceremonies, in the wedding hall. Graduates can work at marriage registration agencies, wedding companies, matchmaking agencies, and marriage and family counseling training centers.

Zhao Honggang, Vice President of Minzheng Vocational College, explained, "The Marriage Services and Management department focuses on the development of the marriage industry," adding, "Students will professionally learn about marriage registration, management, and family counseling."

Why Are Young Chinese People Not Getting Married?

Experts agree that the reasons young Chinese people are not marrying include slowing economic growth, rising marriage costs, financial pressures, and changing perceptions of marriage and childbirth.

China's economic growth rate in the second quarter of this year was 4.7%, significantly below the expected 5.1%, due to a real estate slump, job insecurity leading to weak consumer sentiment, and reduced government spending. This has cast doubt on achieving the annual growth target set around 5%. On the 26th of last month, Chinese President and Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping stated, "China's current economic development faces some difficulties and problems."

The sharply increased chaili (bride price paid by the groom to the bride) is also a reason young people hesitate to marry. According to a Wuhan University survey, the national average chaili amount is 140,000 yuan (approximately 26.285 million KRW). Before 2007, chaili was around 10,000 to 20,000 yuan but has risen sharply since 2008.

As more women enter the workforce, the average age at first marriage has increased, contributing to the decline in marriage numbers. Although there are regional and quarterly differences, the average age of first marriage for men was 29.38 years in the first quarter and 29.7 years in the second quarter this year. For women, it ranged from 27 to 28 years. In 2010, the average age at first marriage in China was 25.75 years for men and 24 years for women.

Population issues researcher He Yafu noted, "The concepts of marriage and childbirth among young people have recently changed," pointing out that "the number of unmarried and infertile individuals is increasing, and the birth rate is declining." He emphasized, "We need to encourage a new culture regarding marriage and childbirth and create a society that respects the value of childbirth."