China's Q1 Marriage Registrations Down 6.24% Year-on-Year to 1.697 Million Pairs
China's marriage registrations in the first quarter of 2026 totaled 1.697 million pairs, marking a 6.24% decrease compared to the same period last year. This reflects a continuing decline in marriage rates despite government efforts to encourage marriage and childbirth, raising concerns about its impact on addressing the low birthrate.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 10, 2026 at 16:29
- 🔍 Collected: May 10, 2026 at 17:01 (32 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 10, 2026 at 18:15 (1h 13m after Collected)
SHANGHAI, May 10 (CNA reporter Liao Wen-chi) -- Data released today by China's Ministry of Civil Affairs shows that marriage registrations in the first quarter of this year totaled 1.697 million pairs, a decrease of 6.24% compared to the same period last year.
China's Ministry of Civil Affairs issued the "2026 Q1 Civil Affairs Statistical Data" on May 10. The data shows that national marriage registrations in the first quarter of this year were 1.697 million pairs, and divorce registrations were 622,000 pairs. Compared to the same period last year, marriage registrations decreased by 113,000 pairs, a drop of 6.24%.
China's marriage registrations peaked in 2013 at 13.469 million pairs, then continuously declined for 12 consecutive years. In 2024, it plummeted to a new low of 6.106 million pairs. Until 2025, marriage registrations were 6.763 million pairs, an increase of 657,000 pairs, or 10.76%, compared to 2024.
In recent years, China has actively encouraged marriage and childbirth, introducing various policies to stimulate them. On May 10, 2025, the newly revised "Marriage Registration Regulations" were implemented, abolishing regional restrictions on marriage registration, so newlyweds no longer need household registration books, and marriage registrations can be processed nationwide. After the policy implementation, "inter-provincial marriage registrations" in mainland China significantly increased, with substantial growth in some cities with large floating populations.
Although marriage registrations decreased in the first quarter of this year, local media reports indicate that marriage registration slots for May 20th, which sounds like "I love you," are already fully booked in many places including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Wuxi, and Chengdu.
However, civil affairs bureaus in Shanghai, Wuxi, and other places stated that even if an appointment cannot be made successfully, couples can still obtain their certificates by arriving at the office during working hours on "520," meaning "you can get married as long as you show up." (Edited by: Lu Jiarong) 1150510
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.
China's Ministry of Civil Affairs issued the "2026 Q1 Civil Affairs Statistical Data" on May 10. The data shows that national marriage registrations in the first quarter of this year were 1.697 million pairs, and divorce registrations were 622,000 pairs. Compared to the same period last year, marriage registrations decreased by 113,000 pairs, a drop of 6.24%.
China's marriage registrations peaked in 2013 at 13.469 million pairs, then continuously declined for 12 consecutive years. In 2024, it plummeted to a new low of 6.106 million pairs. Until 2025, marriage registrations were 6.763 million pairs, an increase of 657,000 pairs, or 10.76%, compared to 2024.
In recent years, China has actively encouraged marriage and childbirth, introducing various policies to stimulate them. On May 10, 2025, the newly revised "Marriage Registration Regulations" were implemented, abolishing regional restrictions on marriage registration, so newlyweds no longer need household registration books, and marriage registrations can be processed nationwide. After the policy implementation, "inter-provincial marriage registrations" in mainland China significantly increased, with substantial growth in some cities with large floating populations.
Although marriage registrations decreased in the first quarter of this year, local media reports indicate that marriage registration slots for May 20th, which sounds like "I love you," are already fully booked in many places including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Wuxi, and Chengdu.
However, civil affairs bureaus in Shanghai, Wuxi, and other places stated that even if an appointment cannot be made successfully, couples can still obtain their certificates by arriving at the office during working hours on "520," meaning "you can get married as long as you show up." (Edited by: Lu Jiarong) 1150510
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.