The number of new marriages in China has dropped to an all-time low.

In 2023, the country recorded 7.7 million marriages, while in 2024, there were 6.1 million. This marks the lowest figure since records began in 1986. Additionally, last year, 2.6 million couples filed for divorce, which is an increase of 1.1 percent compared to the previous year.

China holds the second position globally in terms of population. For decades, the country's authorities enforced strict childbirth restrictions, including the "one family, one child" policy. These limitations have resulted in fewer individuals reaching marriageable age, and those who do are often uninterested in marriage or having children.

Now, China faces a decline and aging population, posing a threat to the nation's economic future. Authorities have launched a large-scale campaign aimed at increasing the number of marriages and encouraging childbirth. However, so far, this policy has failed to convince young people in China, who are grappling with high unemployment rates and rising living costs.

Previously, UN experts predicted that China's population would decrease by 109 million by 2050, which is more than three times their earlier forecast from 2019.