Marrigages in China decline

BEIJING, Feb 10 (AFP): China last year saw a one-fifth decline in marriages, the latest sign of persistent demographic challenges as Beijing works to encourage births despite an uncertain economic outlook for young families.

The country saw 6.1 million couples register for marriage in 2024, down from 7.7 million the previous year, according to data published by the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

The 20.5 percent drop coincided with the third consecutive year of overall population decline in China, which in 2023 was surpassed by India as the world's most populous nation.