China sees record low marriages in 2022

China witnessed a record low of 6.83 million marriage registrations in 2022, the lowest since 1986.

This decline is attributed to factors such as a shrinking young population, an imbalanced gender ratio, changing marriage attitudes, and high costs associated with marriage, according to the Chinese Daily Global Times.

China's Ministry of Civil Affairs said the number of marriage registrations in China has been decreasing since 2014. It dropped below 8 million in 2021 and decreased by 803,000 couples in 2022, a decline of about 10.5%.

Meanwhile, divorce registrations also decreased by about 1.8% compared to the previous year, with 2.1 million couples divorcing, according to data released by the ministry.

These trends reflect a shift among the younger generation toward delaying or opting out of marriage and children, the report added.