China's marriages drop to decade low, deepening demographic concerns

HONG KONG, May 11 (Reuters) - Marriage registrations in China fell 6.2% year on year ​in the first quarter and are ‌about half 2017 levels, official data show, underscoring the demographic strain in a ​country where childbearing remains closely tied ​to marriage.

China recorded 1.697 million marriage ⁠registrations in the quarter, the ​Ministry of Civil Affairs said on Saturday.

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The ​figures are the latest sign of China’s deepening demographic challenges.

China’s population fell for a fourth ​consecutive year in 2025, while its ​birth rate dropped to a record low, prompting ‌warnings ⁠from demographers of further decline.

Couples in China have traditionally had children after marriage, reflecting both cultural norms and administrative ​rules that ​have ⁠in some cases linked birth registration or access to benefits ​to a marriage certificate.

Authorities have ​rolled ⁠out a range of measures to encourage marriage and childbearing, including family subsidies, ⁠childcare ​support and efforts to ​reduce childbirth-related medical costs.

Reporting by Farah Master and ​the Beijing newsroom. Editing by Mark Potter

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