BEIJING: The number of newly married couples in China has increased for the first time in the past nine years, with 7.68 million new marriages reported in 2023, compared to the previous year showing an increase of 12.4 percent, the BBC reported citing a recent survey.
With the aim of targeting the record-low birth rates, the Chinese government is promoting marriage through campaigns that resulted in 845,000 more marriages in 2022, according to a recent report by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. This number is said to have increased.
The controversial one-child policy imposed by the government in the 1980s led to an unprecedented decline in the country’s birth rate. However, policy changes were implemented in 2015 and 2021 to increase population numbers.
In addition, Chinese Premier Li Qiang has pledged to promote a birth-friendly society and long-term and balanced population development.
State planners are also trying to improve policies that boost birth rates by reducing costs of childbirth, child care, and education and improving parental leave policies.
China’s population declined for the second year in a row in 2023 due to low birth rates and the number of deaths caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The number of Chinese couples filing for divorce increased last year with 2.59m filing for uncontested divorce.
Meanwhile, policymakers face the challenge of a rapidly aging population, with 300 million Chinese expected to retire in the next decade.
Other major Asian countries are also struggling with declining birth rates and aging populations.
South Korea has the lowest birth rate in the world, and Japan has the lowest birth rate in 2022 with 800,000 births. Meanwhile, Hong Kong recently announced a donation of HK$20,000 per baby to combat the low birth rate.
South Korea has the lowest birth rate globally and Japan witnessed a record low 800,000 births in 2022. Meanwhile, Hong Kong recently announced HK$20,000 donation for each newborn to combat its low birth rate.
