HONG KONG: China's marriage rate has fallen to an 18-year low, raising fresh concerns about declining birth rates and the country's growing demographic challenges.

Between January and September this year, 4.65 million couples registered marriages, while 2.08 million divorced, according to figures the Ministry of Civil Affairs released this week.

The marriage figure was the lowest in 18 years, Chinese news outlet Yicai reported on November 6.

Authorities worry about the decline because childbirth in China remains closely linked to marriage. Fewer marriages could mean fewer births and worsen the country's population problems.

The Chinese government has introduced several measures in recent years to encourage people to marry and have children. These include financial support for families, childcare assistance, and lower childbirth-related medical costs.

Authorities have also promised to include the needs of young people and families in urban planning. This includes improving housing, healthcare, education, and public services to make cities better suited to raising children.

However, these measures have so far failed to reverse the declining marriage and birth trends.

China is now supporting more elderly people than children. The old-age dependency ratio, which measures the number of older people compared with the working-age population, has risen above the child dependency ratio.

The country's population declined for the fourth consecutive year in 2025, while its birth rate fell to a record low. Demographers warn the population could keep shrinking in the coming years.

The decline in women of childbearing age is adding to the problem. According to United Nations estimates, the number of Chinese women aged between 15 and 49 is expected to fall by more than two-thirds by the end of this century.

The figure could drop to fewer than 100 million, further challenging China's efforts to increase births and sustain its population.

The falling marriage rate, declining birth numbers and rapidly aging population have therefore become major concerns for China's long-term economic and social development.