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Beijing, China – September 14, 2024 — China’s National Health Commission (NHC) is ramping up efforts to promote marriage and childbirth at “appropriate ages” as part of a broader strategy to combat the nation’s declining birth rate, according to senior officials. The announcement follows the second consecutive year of population decline and a record low number of births in 2023, sparking growing concern about the country’s demographic future.
Yu Xuejun, deputy head of the NHC, emphasized the importance of guiding young people towards a more positive outlook on marriage, family, and parenting. In a statement reported by the state-backed Global Times, Yu highlighted the need for shared parenting responsibilities, which he believes will help foster a “new culture of marriage and childbearing.”
The NHC’s push comes as Beijing faces mounting pressure to address the country’s shrinking population. Men in China are legally permitted to marry only after the age of 22, while women can marry after turning 20. Despite this, many are delaying or forgoing marriage and parenthood altogether, citing reasons such as high childcare costs, gender inequality, and the social expectation that women bear the bulk of caregiving duties.
China’s one-child policy, in place from 1980 until 2015, is widely recognized as a key contributor to the current demographic challenges. Although the policy was relaxed to allow for two and then three children, many Chinese citizens, especially women, remain hesitant to expand their families. Education costs and the financial burden of raising children have also discouraged larger families, with many opting to have only one child or none at all.
Official data for the first half of 2024 revealed that the number of marriages reached its lowest level since 2013, further compounding concerns about the country’s future population growth. Women, in particular, have expressed a reluctance to marry or have children, often due to career aspirations and the persisting gender discrimination that limits their professional advancement.
Yu acknowledged that China’s demographic shifts are a natural outcome of economic and social development. However, he stressed the need for ongoing efforts from local authorities to ensure sustainable demographic development. The NHC’s latest call to action represents part of a broader national push to incentivize childbearing through policy changes, financial incentives, and societal support systems.
With China facing the dual challenge of a rapidly aging population and low birth rates, experts say more comprehensive measures will be needed to support young families, address gender discrimination, and reduce the financial burdens associated with child-rearing.
The NHC’s efforts are seen as an attempt to reshape societal attitudes toward marriage and parenting, while simultaneously addressing the deep-rooted economic and social barriers that are keeping China’s birth rates at historic lows.
