China recorded 3.275 million marriage registrations in the first half of 2026, down 264,000 couples, or about 7.5 percent, from the same period last year, according to data released by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Yonhap News Agency reported that this was the lowest figure since nationwide marriage-registration statistics were systematically compiled following China’s revision of its Marriage Law in 1980.
Meanwhile, 1.383 million couples registered for divorce during the first half, up 52,000, or about 3.9 percent, from a year earlier. The continued decline in marriages, alongside rising divorces, highlights the demographic and social pressures facing China.
China’s annual marriage registrations peaked at 13.469 million couples in 2013 and have generally declined since then. The figure fell below 10 million in 2019, 9 million in 2020, 8 million in 2021, and 7 million in 2022. Although registrations temporarily rebounded to 7.68 million in 2023 amid a post-pandemic “catch-up” in marriages, they plunged to 6.106 million in 2024, a 20.5 percent decline from 2023.
Source: Radio France International, August 12, 2026
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/中国/20260812-中国今年上半年结婚登记327-5万对-创历史新低