CHINA recorded 1.81 million marriage registrations in the first quarter (Q1) of this year, marking an 8% drop from the same period in 2024, according to data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Experts attribute this general drop to a shrinking population of people in the age range suitable for marriage, changing perceptions of marriage, and financial concerns associated with getting married. Also, for some young people, staying single is a conscious choice. As one user on the microblogging site Weibo put it: “If I were married, there’s no way I’d enjoy the kind of freedom I have now.” Another commented: “If I can’t find the right person, I’d rather stay single than settle.” Others active on Weibo pointed to life pressures, noting that raising a child can be exhausting and often gets the whole family including their parents involved. Sociologist Li Yinhe believes the growing number of single individuals is closely tied to China’s ongoing urbanization and modernization processes. “In the past, women who didn’t marry often had no means of supporting themselves. But today, women are fully capable of earning a living on their own and no longer need to rely on men. As a result, the desire to marry has dropped significantly compared to earlier times,” she explained. While Chinese society has grown more accepting of people living alone, the drop in marriage rates has also led to falling birth rates — trends that are sparking increasing public concern. In response to these changes, authorities across China have introduced various incentives to foster a newlywed-friendly society. Earlier this month, the government revised its marriage registration rules, reducing paperwork and giving couples more flexibility to choose where to register their union. The new regulations will take effect on May 10 this year. Some areas have already begun offering incentives to encourage marriage. In a village in Guangzhou, Guangdong, newlywed couples can apply for a bonus of up to 40,000 yuan (US$5,490), while the city of Lyuliang in North China’s Shanxi Province offers 1,500 yuan to women who marry at or under the age of 35. In addition, the eastern Zhejiang Province has extended its paid marriage leave from three to 13 days.(Xinhua) | 