China's Marriage Rate Drops Over 20% in 2024, Deepening Demographic Challenges

Economic pressures and shifting societal attitudes contribute to declining marriages, exacerbating China's population decline and aging crisis.

China recorded 6.1 million marriages in 2024, a 20.5% drop from 7.7 million in 2023, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
This decline coincides with the third consecutive year of population decrease, with China's population falling to 1.408 billion by the end of 2024.
Economic concerns, including high housing costs and expensive education, are key factors discouraging marriage and childbearing among young Chinese citizens.
Despite government incentives like subsidies and relaxed family planning policies, including allowing up to three children per couple, birth rates remain low.
The demographic shift is increasing pressure on China's healthcare and pension systems, prompting gradual increases in the retirement age starting in 2025.