To counter the alarming decline in birth rates and the concerning aging of its population, China has implemented new incentive measures, including a bonus of 1,000 yuan (137 dollars) that will now be offered to couples where the bride is 25 years old or younger.
In China, newlywed couples will now receive a bonus of 1,000 yuan (137 dollars) if the woman is under 25 years old. This measure, recently announced in the Changshan county, aims to encourage early marriages and procreation among young couples, amidst growing concerns about the country’s demographic challenges.
The announcement was made on the official WeChat account of Changshan county and reported by several media outlets including The Guardian. In addition to the bonus for newlyweds, the government has also introduced a set of subsidies to support families with children, particularly in terms of child care, fertility, and education.
Alarming Decline in Marriages and Births in China This new measure comes as China faces its first population decline in six decades and a rapidly aging society. Despite remaining the world’s most populous country with 1.4 billion people, the nation is grappling with increasingly complex demographic issues. In 2022, the population recorded a decline of 850,000 people, marking the first decrease since 1961, according to official data released last June.
Simultaneously, marriage rates have reached their lowest level since 1986, with 6.8 million unions, representing an 800,000 decrease in marriages compared to the previous year, according to official data released in June. Moreover, China’s fertility rate, already among the lowest in the world, is reported to have dropped to a record low of 1.09 in 2022, as per state media.
The reasons behind this decline in birth rates are manifold and complex. Chinese women face high childcare costs and the need to interrupt their careers to raise their children. Additionally, economic concerns, gender-based discrimination, and traditional stereotypes about women’s roles in the family and society contribute to the reluctance of young Chinese to marry and have children.
It is worth noting that the legal marriage age is set at 22 for men and 20 for women in China. Despite this, the number of marriages has decreased, due to government policies making it more difficult for single women to have children.
