China has seen a decline in the marriage rate this year, reaching its lowest level in 18 years, according to authorities and local media. This phenomenon raises fears of declining birth rates and worsening demographic pressures, despite the authorities’ efforts to provide subsidies to families, support care, and reduce medical costs.

Published on: 06/11/2026 - 09:54

China recorded a decline in the marriage rate during the first nine months of this year, reaching the lowest level in 18 years, raising concerns about declining birth rates and demographic pressures.

According to data published by the Ministry of Civil Affairs this week, the period until the end of September witnessed the marriage of a total of 4.65 million couples, while 2.08 million couples separated. Local media reported that this number was the lowest in 18 years.

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Over the past few years, the Chinese authorities have taken a set of measures to encourage marriage and childbirth, including providing subsidies to families, supporting child care, and reducing medical costs related to childbirth.

But despite the efforts made, China currently supports a higher number of elderly people than children, and the dependency ratio of the elderly exceeds that of children.

China's population declined for the fourth consecutive year in 2025, and the birth rate fell to its lowest level ever, prompting population experts to warn of further declines.

The number of women in China of reproductive age, which the United Nations says ranges between 15 and 49 years, is expected to fall by more than two-thirds to less than 100 million by the end of the century.

France 24/Reuters

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