China’s National Health Commission Urges Marriage and Childbirth at ‘Appropriate Ages’ to Address Declining Birth Rate

China’s National Health Commission (NHC) is intensifying efforts to encourage marriage and childbirth at what it deems “appropriate ages” amid ongoing concerns about the country’s declining birth rate and shrinking population. Yu Xuejun, deputy head of the NHC, announced that the Commission will advocate for shared parenting responsibilities and promote positive views on marriage, childbirth, and family life.

The push aims to cultivate a “new culture of marriage and childbearing,” Yu stated. In China, legal marriage ages are set at 22 for men and 20 for women.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by Beijing to incentivize higher birth rates following a second consecutive annual decline in population in 2023, with births reaching an all-time low. Many women are choosing to remain childless due to high childcare expenses, reluctance to marry, and career considerations, compounded by persistent gender discrimination and traditional societal expectations of women as primary caregivers.

Recent official data reveals that the number of marriages in the first half of this year has fallen to its lowest level since 2013. The long-term effects of China’s one-child policy (implemented from 1980 to 2015) and the high costs of education have also contributed to the current demographic challenges, leading many to avoid having more than one child or having children at all.

Yu acknowledged that the low birth rate and rapid aging are natural consequences of economic and social development but emphasized the need for continuous efforts from local authorities to foster sustainable demographic development.