China's marriage rate drops sharply in first quarter of 2024

(Illustration: NYT).

According to SCMP , China's Ministry of Civil Affairs recorded 1.969 million new marriages from January to March 2024, a sharp drop from 2.147 million marriages in the first quarter of 2023. These figures are accompanied by a falling birth rate, a growing number of retirees, and a shrinking total population in China.

According to Gary Ng, senior economist at investment bank Natixis, the decline in marriage rates will reduce the birth rate, affecting the labor force in China. The number of retirees will be larger when the current labor force reaches retirement age.

Not only that, according to statistics on marriage and divorce data in China from 1978 to 2023, the number of marriage registrations decreased sharply before 2023, gradually decreasing from about 13.46 million (2013) to 6.83 million (2022).

Demographers say the main reasons for this are the gender imbalance and changes in the behavior of the majority of young people today. In addition, young Chinese people are also concerned about the costs associated with raising children. Expert Gary Ng asserts: "A gradual decline is inevitable."

"Economists are quite worried if the age imbalance continues and becomes more serious," said James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies, University of Tasmania, Australia.

The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences also warned that the state pension fund could run out by 2035 due to the growing number of retirees.

Government incentives to promote marriage and increase birth rates are more necessary than ever.

To solve the problem, the Chinese leader has abolished the limit on the number of children per couple from 2021, completely reversing the one-child policy implemented since 1979 to control the country's rapid population growth.

According to Professor James Chin, the lifting of child-rearing regulations could help increase the number of young people in China. However, he is also concerned about the shortage of labor at home and abroad, which will hinder economic productivity in this country of billions of people.

Chang'e

According to SCMP

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/ty-le-ket-hon-o-trung-quoc-giam-manh-trong-quy-dau-nam-2024-20240624163307447.htm