China, the world's most populous country, is now facing a demographic challenge that threatens its future economic stability. The declining birth rate has led to significant changes in policy. The government is now actively promoting marriage and childbirth in China at what it considers to be an "appropriate age."

This shift comes at a time when traditional family structures are being re-examined. Many Chinese couples are reconsidering their priorities when it comes to starting a family.

The National Health Commission (NHC) has taken notice of the steep decline in birth rates and is working hard to encourage a new culture around marriage and family. But will these efforts be enough to reverse the trend?

Declining Birth Rate Is a New Reality in China

RDNE / Pexels / Last year (in 2023,) the birth rate in China fell to a record low for a second consecutive year.

In recent years, China has seen its population growth come to a near halt, with 2023 marking the second consecutive year of population decline. At the core of this issue is the rapidly falling birth rate. In 2023, the country saw births fall to record lows, marking a pivotal shift from its previous growth trajectory. This is in stark contrast to the mid-20th century when China implemented policies like the infamous one-child policy to control overpopulation.

Fast forward to today, and the government is struggling to encourage citizens to have more children.

So what led to this change? A combination of factors has contributed, including the rising costs of living, expensive education, and evolving gender roles. Many young women are choosing to delay or completely forgo having children due to the high financial burden of raising a family.

As a result, fewer people are getting married, and even fewer are choosing to have children.

Government Encourages Marriage and Childbirth in China at an 'Appropriate Age'

In response to these alarming trends, the Chinese government is focusing on promoting marriage and childbirth in China at what they consider the "appropriate age." According to the law, men are eligible to marry at 22, while women can marry at 20.

However, it is not just about legal age. The government is also advocating for a cultural shift to encourage younger couples to tie the knot and start families sooner.

Yuan / Pexels / In traditional Chinese culture, women are often seen as the primary caregivers, which can make it difficult to pursue both career and motherhood simultaneously.

The National Health Commission has made it clear that they aim to foster a "new culture" around family life. Deputy head Yu Xuejun says that the NHC will work to encourage shared parenting responsibilities and help shape positive perspectives on marriage and childbirth in China. These initiatives are an attempt to reverse the growing trend of women opting out of marriage or motherhood altogether.

The Dilemma Chinese Women Are Facing

For many young women in China, the decision to get married and have children is complicated by career aspirations and societal expectations. Despite government efforts to encourage marriage and childbirth in China, the reality is that many women feel pressured to choose between career success and family life.

Thus, this cultural expectation discourages many women from starting families. High childcare costs and a lack of affordable support services further exacerbate the problem.

As a result, many women are opting to delay marriage or avoid having children altogether. Thus, this is fueling the demographic crisis that China now faces.