A shifting landscape of love and family in China is unfolding, and it's a story that goes beyond the numbers. While marriage rates in China have shown a modest increase in 2025, the underlying demographic concerns remain a pressing issue.
In Shanghai's People's Park, a unique phenomenon takes place every weekend. Parents, driven by a desire to secure a suitable match for their children, create makeshift profiles, often without their children's knowledge. These profiles, pinned to bags or umbrellas, detail age, job, appearance, and financial assets, reflecting the cultural importance placed on marriage and family.
But here's where it gets controversial... The so-called "marriage market" is not just a local affair. It attracts matchmaking agencies and singles of all ages, highlighting a national concern about declining marriage and birth rates.
China recorded 6.76 million marriages in 2025, a 10.8% increase from the record low in 2024. However, this rebound is still only half of the 2015 figures, indicating a long-term decline.
And this is the part most people miss... The legacy of China's one-child policy, introduced in 1979 and ended in 2015, has had a profound impact on marriage dynamics. An elderly man, a regular at the park, believes the post-80s generation, having grown up without siblings, views marriage differently. They are fiercely independent, and this, he suggests, has complicated modern marriages.
Despite the uptick in marriage figures, singles still face persistent pressures. Authorities have introduced marriage incentives, including country-wide marriage registration and marriage leave, but experts caution against seeing these policies as a quick fix.
Professor Stuart Gietel-Basten from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology emphasizes the need to address underlying issues like unemployment and long working hours. He believes a holistic approach is necessary, considering factors like job prospects, housing, and cost of living.
So, what's the bigger picture? China's rapidly aging population and the cultural importance of marriage and childbearing create a complex web of challenges.
As we navigate these issues, one question remains: In a society that values family bonds so deeply, how can we ensure that the institution of marriage remains a source of strength and support, rather than a cause for anxiety?
