On Saturday, China introduced measures aimed at streamlining the marriage registration process and reducing financial strains on couples, as part of an ongoing effort by Beijing to encourage an increase in birth rates. Having children outside of wedlock is uncommon in the country, primarily due to societal stigma and fewer protections for families that do not conform to traditional structures.
Previous strategies to address the declining rates of marriage and childbirth have included offering cash incentives and commitments to enhance childcare infrastructure. The latest development allows individuals to register their marriage in the location where they currently reside, as reported by state broadcaster CCTV, citing details from a government document.
According to the state news agency Xinhua, this reform targets the needs of individuals who live or work away from their registered hometowns, focusing particularly on the younger demographic. Traditionally, couples were required to register their marriage at the location specified in the civil registry of either the bride or groom, which often imposed travel and financial burdens. For instance, a couple residing in Beijing could not previously register their marriage in the capital if their hometowns were elsewhere in China. CCTV announced that, following the success of pilot projects and in response to public expectations, marriage registration would be implemented nationwide.
China is currently grappling with an uncertain economic outlook, witnessing a 20% drop in marriages last year and experiencing a third consecutive year of overall population decline. In an additional effort to tackle these issues, the Ministry of Civil Affairs is promoting measures against certain customs, such as high “bride prices” and extravagant wedding expenses, as noted by CCTV. The “bride price” typically involves cash presented by the groom’s family to the bride, serving as a gesture of respect towards the in-laws and a contribution to the couple’s future. However, these costs can be excessively high, placing undue financial pressure on the groom’s family and exacerbating social inequality.
Among the various reasons young Chinese are hesitant to marry and have children are the financial challenges of securing enough savings to buy an apartment, a common precursor to marriage. Additionally, the cost of education, including daycare fees and private tuition often deemed essential for a child’s academic success, plays a significant role in these decisions.