China's Civil Affairs Bureau official statistics

China Launches Marriage Degree Program Amid 3.43 Million Marriages, 498,000 Fewer, and 12.7% Year-on-Year Drop

Aug 4, 2024, 08:37 AM

In response to a significant decline in marriage rates, China's Civil Affairs University has introduced a new degree program focused on marriage services and management. This initiative aims to address the country's falling birth rates, which have reached alarming levels. In the first half of 2024, China recorded 3.43 million marriage registrations, a decrease of 498,000 from the same period in 2023, marking the lowest figure since 2013. The decline in marriages is part of a broader demographic crisis, with a year-on-year drop of 12.7%, including an 8.3% decrease in the first quarter and an 18.0% decrease in the second quarter. The new degree program will cover various aspects of matrimony, including wedding planning, matchmaking services, and marriage counseling, reflecting the government's efforts to encourage marriage and increase birth rates.