China Introduces Marriage Degree Amid 12-Year Low Marriage Rates

Aug 4, 2024, 03:10 PM

China is introducing its first university degree program focused on marriage, in response to a significant decline in marriage rates and birth rates. The new degree, offered by China's Civil Affairs University, includes wedding planning, matchmaking services, and marriage counseling. This initiative comes as the number of marriage registrations in China fell to 3.43 million in the first half of 2024, down by 498,000 compared to the same period last year, a 12.7% year-on-year decline. This marks the lowest number of marriages since 2013. The decline is attributed to economic challenges and rising living costs, leading many young people to defer marriage. Marriages in Q1 were 1.97 million and 1.46 million in Q2. Additionally, 1.27 million couples divorced in the same period.