New data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics and the Ministry of Civil Affairs shows that the marriage rate has been dropping for five consecutive years.
According to the figures, China’s marriage rate (newly married people in one year/total population) in 2018 was 7.2 per thousand, 27 percent lower than in 2013, the lowest point in the past five years. The data suggests a negative correlation between the marriage rate and regional economic status.
A change in young people’s marriage values is believed to be a leading reason behind the drop. Many netizens said following the release of the data that they would rather remain single if they cannot find their Mr. or Mrs. Right. Another major cause, according to experts, is the rising costs of marriage and childbirth. As more young people value individualism and freedom, they are not willing to be shackled by marriage and parenting.
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