Supportive govt policies aid rebound in marriages

Marriage registrations across China rebounded in the first three quarters of 2025, signaling the positive impact of the country's pro-family policies after record low figures in the year prior.

About 5.15 million couples tied the knot in the first nine months of 2025, an 8.5 percent hike from the same period in 2024, according to data released by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The recovery was particularly striking in major cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen, Guangdong province, which recorded surges of nearly 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively, both reaching their highest levels in five years.

Experts attributed the rise to cultural factors and, more importantly, a series of policy adjustments. These include the nationwide relaxation of marriage registration requirements, as well as long-term incentives such as extended parental leave, child care subsidies, and free preschool education.

Yuan Xin, vice-president of the China Population Association and a professor at Nankai University, said the latest data suggests the government's supportive measures are beginning to take effect. He also noted that positive media coverage has subtly shaped young people's outlook on marriage and childbearing.

Looking ahead, Yuan predicted that the rebound in marriages is likely to boost the fertility rate, potentially leading to a new wave of births in 2026. However, he also noted that fluctuations in birth rates are common during periods of broader demographic decline.

Since May, China's new regulations have allowed couples to register their marriages anywhere in the country without presenting their household registration booklet, or hukou. This ended a decades-long restriction that required people to register their marriage in their place of residence, which, for many, means their hometown.

This reform has been particularly significant for the over 370 million migrant population in China. On the first day of implementation, registrations under the new rules accounted for 30 percent of all new marriages registered in Beijing and Shanghai. By year's end, more than 452,000 such marriages had been registered nationwide.

According to Ding Changfa, a professor at Xiamen University, regions with large inflows of people, such as the Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta, will likely see a growing share of national marriage registrations. Conversely, smaller cities and rural areas with significant population outflows are expected to record a decline.

The new rules have also spurred a wave of "destination weddings". At Sayram Lake, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, more than 10,000 couples have registered in just five months — and those who do receive lifetime free admission to the site. Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, extended service hours during holiday periods, offering newlyweds free admission to scenic spots and travel packages.

Following the relaxation of the one-child policy and the current three-child allowance, China has introduced financial and legislative measures to encourage childbirth.

The government has extended parental leave and introduced benefits, including an annual tax-free child care subsidy of 3,600 yuan ($516) per child for families with children under 3, along with free tuition for the final year of kindergarten.

By 2026, China plans to ensure basic childbirth costs are fully covered by insurance programs nationwide. The fertility policy has also been elevated to a key national priority to "stabilize the number of newborns".

Local governments have been quick to make adjustments. Tianmen city in Hubei province has rolled out subsidies for deliveries and maternity leave allowances. Some regions also encourage employers to adopt flexible work hours for parents with infants.

Yang Fan, associate dean at Renmin University of China's School of Population and Health, said policy effects take time to materialize. "It's a gradual process," he said. "What matters most is the long-term stability and continuity of these policies."

Scholars also suggest integrating workplace protections for women and greater involvement of fathers in child-rearing to ensure sustainable, long-term population growth.

Xinhua