Why Marriage Is On Decline In China As Young Chinese Choose Dating, Staying Single

China’s Qixi Festival, akin to Valentine’s Day, has traditionally been a significant occasion for Chinese couples to tie the knot.

Celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar, it commemorates the love story of Zhinu and Niulang in Chinese mythology.

This year, a marriage registration office in Mianyang, Sichuan Province, attempted to livestream marriage ceremonies on August 22 to mark the festival. However, few couples showed up, leading to an empty registration hall and sparking discussions on China’s declining marriage rates.

Despite government efforts to promote marriage, trends indicate fewer people are choosing to marry, marrying later, divorces are rising, and more individuals are opting to stay single.

Younger generations feel that traditional marriage expectations are increasingly at odds with their modern lives.

Economic factors, familial pressures, and changing societal norms are influencing these shifts.

Factors like job insecurity, high property costs, and a preference for personal freedom are among the reasons cited for delaying or avoiding marriage altogether. Some individuals also view marriage as a source of potential conflict and prefer to avoid it.

Additionally, shifts in education, economic opportunities, and personal choice have impacted attitudes towards marriage in contemporary China.

The “singles’ economy” has emerged to cater to individuals who choose to remain unmarried, offering various services and experiences tailored to independent living.

Marriage’s centrality in life has diminished, giving way to a multitude of lifestyle options.

While societal and governmental emphasis on marriage continues, personal choice and individual pursuits increasingly shape romantic and relationship decisions in China.