China revealed that the number of couples registering marriages in the first nine months of this year dropped to just 4.65 million pairs, the lowest in 18 years, amid concerns about declining birth rates and an aging society, despite government efforts to encourage marriage and childbirth.
China is facing a significant demographic challenge as the number of couples registering marriages during the first nine months of this year sharply declined to the lowest point in 18 years, raising concerns over falling birth rates and long-term population structure issues, since childbirth in China remains closely linked to marriage.
Data from China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, released this week, stated that from January to the end of September, there were a total of 4.65 million registered marriages, while divorces numbered 2.08 million. Local news agency Yicai reported on Friday that this marriage registration figure was the lowest in 18 years.
In recent years, Chinese authorities have implemented various measures to promote marriage and childbirth, including providing family subsidies, supporting childcare services, and reducing medical costs related to childbirth.
Additionally, the government has pledged to integrate youth development issues into urban planning, covering housing, public health, education, and public services, to create urban environments more conducive to the lives of young people, children, and families.
However, despite ongoing government efforts, China is clearly facing an aging society. Currently, the proportion of elderly dependents that the working-age population must support has surpassed that of children for the first time, as the elderly dependency ratio exceeds the child dependency ratio.
At the same time, China's population has declined for a fourth consecutive year in 2025 following a record low birth rate, prompting demographers to warn that the population may continue to decrease.
Moreover, the number of Chinese women of reproductive age, defined by the United Nations as those aged 15-49, is projected to decline by more than two-thirds, falling below 100 million by the end of the century, adding further challenges to government efforts to revive birth rates and address long-term demographic structure issues.
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