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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Helen Davidson in Taipei

She said no: marriages in China plummet to record low

China Weibo
A couple poses for wedding photos outside the Forbidden City in Beijing on February 11, 2025. China last year saw a one-fifth decline in marriages, the latest sign of persistent demographic challenges as Beijing works to encourage births despite an uncertain economic outlook for young families.
A couple poses for wedding photos outside the Forbidden City in Beijing on February 11, 2025. China last year saw a one-fifth decline in marriages, the latest sign of persistent demographic challenges as Beijing works to encourage births despite an uncertain economic outlook for young families. Photograph: Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images

Marriages in China plunged 20% to a record low in 2024 as young people resisted government efforts to convince them to settle down and have more babies.

Marriages in China dropped from 7.7m in 2023 to 6.1m last year, data from China’s civil affairs ministry showed. The figure was less than half the number registered in 2013, and the lowest since record keeping began in 1986.

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