China cheers rise in weddings even as birth rate hits new low

Bangkok Post Group

A rise in the number of marriages is proving to be a bright spot in China's population data landscape, as official data released on Monday (January 19) showed the country's birth rate hit a record low in 2025 and its total population fell for the fourth straight year. - REUTERS

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00:00A rise in weddings provides hope for China, even as birth rates hit record lows.

00:07That's according to official data released Monday,

00:09which also showed the country's total population fell for the fourth straight year.

00:15But marriage rates were a bright spot, up 8.5% for the first nine months of 2025.

00:21Beijing brought in a new policy last year which allows couples to marry anywhere in China instead of where they live.

00:27Wedding vendors like Chen Juen, the co-owner of Luoyi Bridal, said this has contributed to the rebound.

00:36If the government can introduce more supportive policies in all aspects,

00:41that would be a positive trend, because young people's attitudes have changed.

00:49That's to say they have more considerations about marriage.

00:52The marriage rate is already lower than before,

00:55so the government wants to encourage more people to step into the marriage hall, right?

01:01In response, local governments scrambled to attract a new wave of marriage tourists.

01:06They set up registration offices in novel places,

01:09including around scenic spots and at music festivals.

01:13A declining interest in marriage and family among young citizens

01:16is widely blamed on the high cost of childcare and education.

01:20For wedding shoe seller Cheng Yong-gui,

01:24she's anxious about her own son's marriage prospects.

01:28It's customary for parents of the groom to help their sons pay for an apartment and car,

01:32as well as a so-called bride price before marriage.

01:35She said her son also doesn't feel able to support a girlfriend, let alone children.

01:41To quell some financial worries,

01:43cities and regions have introduced cash vouchers for newlyweds

01:46to help convince citizens to tie the knot.

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