Beijing - China, which recently relinquished its title as the world's most populous nation to India, is currently grappling with a significant decline in marriage rates that has reached unprecedented levels. The diminishing trend in people entering into wedlock first emerged in 2022, primarily attributed to the successive Covid-19 induced lockdowns that plagued the nation. Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has experienced a steady and persistent decrease in the number of marriages over the course of the past decade.

Data published on the website of the Ministry of Civil Affairs revealed that in 2022, a mere 6.83 million couples completed their marriage registrations, marking the lowest recorded figure in recent history. This alarming statistic represents a decline of approximately 800,000 marriages compared to the previous year. It is worth noting that this decline in marriages coincides with a worrisome decrease in China's birth rate, accentuating the profound implications for both the nation's economy and the global landscape.

China's population has garnered significant attention due to the remarkable decline observed in 2022, marking the first decrease in six decades. This trend is anticipated to herald the beginning of an extended period of population decline, which carries far-reaching consequences for the nation's economy and its standing in the world. The emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions further amplified the scrutiny on China's population, confining tens of millions of individuals to their homes or compounds for prolonged periods in the previous year.

The birth rate in China plummeted to an all-time low of 6.77 births per 1,000 people in the past year, down from 7.52 in 2021, raising concerns among analysts. Factors such as the exorbitant cost of living, the increasing number of women joining the workforce, and the pursuit of higher education have been identified as contributors to this downward trend in birth rates. It is important to note that China's population experienced a decline previously during the early 1960s when the country confronted a severe famine resulting from the ill-fated agricultural policy of Mao Zedong known as the Great Leap Forward.

Demographers have issued warnings that China is on a trajectory to become an aging society before achieving significant economic prosperity, as its working-age population dwindles while local governments face mounting debt in catering to their elderly populace. In an effort to stimulate marriage rates and bolster the nation's declining birth rate, China recently announced plans to launch pilot projects in over 20 cities aimed at cultivating a "new-era" culture surrounding marriage and childbearing. Furthermore, some provinces have implemented measures to provide young newlyweds with extended paid marriage leave as an incentive.

China's dwindling marriage rates amid a declining population and the lingering effects of pandemic restrictions represent a complex challenge for the nation's future development and demographic landscape.