So, what is driving this change? College-going students, considered the future pillars of the economy, are at the centre of this dilemma. In China, these students are experiencing a shift in their mindset. Their views on marriage and love are evolving significantly, according to a Reuters report quoting the Jiangsu Xingua newspaper group. A poll by China Population News revealed that around 57% of college students reported are not wanting to fall in love. While this is unfortunate, what is more worrying is that the government is responding with a rather unusual approach. According to the same report, China is urging colleges and universities to implement ‘love education’ programmes to promote positive views on marriage, love, fertility, and family.
In the Reuters report, the State Council (China’s cabinet) rallied local governments in November to direct resources towards addressing China’s population decline and spreading respect for childbearing and marriages “at the right age.” However, demographers argue that such measures are unlikely to resonate with China’s younger generation.
Drop in marriage rate
China’s marriage rate is plummeting as its youth increasingly reject the idea of tying the knot. However, there are many other factors at play. The Evergrade Research Institute of China’s Tsinghua University carried out a survey which revealed a significant decline in young people’s willingness to get married. According to the research, the number of marriage registrations fell from a record high of 13.47 million in 2013 to 8.13 million in 2020. The report also highlighted regional variations in marriage rates, which were negatively correlated with GDP—indicating that more prosperous cities tend to have lower marriage rates.
Additionally, recent data from China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs revealed that 4.74 million couples registered their marriages in the first three quarters of 2024. This figure reflects a 16.6% drop compared to 5.69 million in the same period of the previous year. The drop aligns with a consistent downward trend since the peak in 2013. Fewer marriages directly impact birth rates, as social norms, economic challenges and government regulations in China make it challenging for unmarried couples to have children.
Declining birth rate
A report published by Reuters in January 2024 stated that China’s population decreased for the second consecutive year, accompanied by a record-low birth rate. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the population dropped by 2.08 million, or 0.15%, reaching 1.409 billion in 2023. It is important to note that one of the major contributing factors was the death toll from the Covid-19 pandemic. During this period, the number of new births fell by 5.7%, totaling 9.02 million, with the birth rate hitting a historic low of 6.29 births per 1,000 people, down from 6.77 in 2022.
As a result of the declining birth rate, Reuters reported that thousands of Chinese kindergartens have been shut down. The number of kindergartens in China has dropped by more than 5%, and the number of children enrolled in kindergarten has fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2023, enrollment dropped by 11.55%, or 5.35 million children, bringing the total number of enrolled children to 40.9 million.
Dwindling desire for love and marriage among college students: What are the culprits?
College students struggle to balance their academic commitments with a relationship. China’s higher education system is known for its intense competition and rigorous demands.
First, gaining admission to top universities in China is highly challenging. Students must pass one of the toughest entrance exams in the world—the Gaokao, or national college entrance exam. To clear the Gaokao, students often prepare for months in advance. While millions take the exam, only a few thousand are fortunate enough to be admitted to the country’s prestigious universities. The exam tests students on subjects such as Chinese, Literature, Math, English, Physics, Chemistry, Politics, and History. After completing the two-day exam, students choose their universities based on factors like their scores, the schools’ prestige, their chances of acceptance, and their own risk tolerance.
However, their struggles don’t end with the entrance exam. University coursework in China is known for being exceptionally demanding, with students expected to maintain high academic performance, which can lead to significant stress. As a result, many students choose to dedicate most of their time to studying and striving for academic excellence. This explains why 57% of students don’t want to fall in love.
Unemployment: The other villain
Apart from low marriage rates, several other factors further discouraged childbearing in 2023. One of them is youth unemployment. It surged to a record high, wages for many white-collar workers declined, and a crisis in the property sector, where over two-thirds of household wealth is stored, intensified.
In September 2023, news circulated that China’s youth unemployment rate had reached a new high of 12.1% for individuals aged 16 to 24 who were not enrolled in school. This figure, released by the National Bureau of Statistics, marked the highest level of unemployment since the introduction of a new tracking system in December.
The rise in youth unemployment can be attributed to several key factors. First, the economic slowdown has significantly reduced job opportunities, making it increasingly difficult for young people to transition from education to employment. Moreover, more young people are opting for higher education, further delaying their entry into the workforce. With the increasing academic pressure, many are struggling to find time to settle down and start a family.
Unemployment, along with high housing prices, the rising cost of raising children, and expensive education, particularly in major cities are the major triggers behind low marriage and birth rates in China.
Is introducing ‘love education’ really the answer?
The intention behind this initiative is to foster a “healthy and positive marriage and childbearing atmosphere,” as reported by Reuters. The plan suggests that universities should educate junior college students about population trends and national conditions, as well as new concepts surrounding marriage and childbearing. Meanwhile, senior college and graduate students could engage in case studies and group discussions on maintaining intimate relationships and improving communication between the sexes. However, it remains uncertain whether or not this approach will resonate with the younger generation given the economic and academic challenges they face. A thriving economy, stress-free education, and supportive policies are the bedrock for fostering a positive outlook on love, marriage, and parenthood.
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