China's marriage rate in third quarter tumbles to 18-year low

China's marriage rate in the first nine months of the year dropped to its lowest level in 18 years, raising concerns over falling birth rates and demographic challenges, according to data released by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. From January to September, a total of 4.65 million couples tied the knot, while 2.08 million couples went through divorce proceedings.

This represents the lowest marriage rate in 18 years, according to Yicai, a local news outlet. Chinese officials have implemented various initiatives to promote marriage and childbearing in recent years, such as offering financial incentives for families, providing childcare assistance, and easing medical costs related to childbirth.

Moreover, the government has made efforts to incorporate youth development into urban planning, housing, healthcare, education, and public services to create a more supportive environment for young people, children, and families. Nonetheless, China now has more elderly residents than children, with the dependency ratio for the elderly surpassing that of children.

Moreover, China's population contracted for a fourth straight year in 2025 as the birth rate hit a record low, prompting demographers to warn of further population declines. The number of Chinese women in their childbearing years, defined by the United Nations as those aged 15-49, is projected to plummet by more than two-thirds to fewer than 100 million by the end of the century.