The number of new marriages recorded in China fell to a record low last year, despite sweeping government efforts to encourage young people to tie the knot and have babies to halt demographic decline in the world’s second-largest economy.

Numbers of marriages in China dropped dramatically in 2024. The continuing decline in marriages likely signals further declines in birth rates, intensifying China's demographic headwinds.

Marriages in China plunged by a fifth to the lowest level on record last year, a setback to efforts by the government to reverse a demographic crisis threatening the world’s second-biggest economy.

By Farah Master HONG KONG (Reuters) -Marriages in China plummetted by a fifth last year, the biggest drop on record, despite manifold efforts by authorities to encourage young couples to wed and have children to boost the country's declining population.

For Chinese authorities, boosting interest in marriage and baby-making is a pressing concern. China has the second-biggest population in the world at

Officials believe the decline in marriages directly impacts the country’s falling birth rate. In China, social norms and legal hurdles make it difficult for unmarried couples to have children.

The number of marriages registered in China during 2024 fell to 6.1 million couples, the lowest figure since records began in 1980, the ministry of civil affairs said. The figure represents a new decline after the rebound experienced in 2023 following consecutive years of decline,