China is confronting a mounting demographic challenge as marriage rates plummet to a 39-year low, with reports indicating that 2.6 million couples are seeking divorce. Economic uncertainties, soaring living costs, and shifting cultural values are driving many Chinese men and women to postpone or forgo marriage altogether.
Analysts observe that financial pressures and the desire for personal freedom are reshaping attitudes towards marriage, resulting in fewer weddings and, consequently, a declining birth rate. This trend is contributing to a shrinking population, which poses serious long-term concerns for the nation’s economic vitality.
Economists warn that a diminishing workforce and an ageing population could lead to reduced economic growth, higher dependency ratios, and increased strain on social services. Although the government has introduced measures to encourage marriage and childbearing, deep-rooted social and economic factors continue to hinder progress.
As China navigates these intertwined challenges, the future demographic and economic landscape remains uncertain, highlighting the need for comprehensive reforms to support young couples and stabilise the nation’s population trends.