Beijing: Marriage registrations in China fell to their lowest first-quarter level since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the nation’s ongoing demographic challenges.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Ministry of Civil Affairs released figures indicating that 1.697 million couples registered for marriage during the first quarter of 2026, marking a 6.24% decrease from the same period last year. This total represents the weakest first-quarter performance since 2020, a year marked by strict coronavirus lockdowns that led to a drop in registrations to 1.557 million couples.

Traditionally, the January-March period is one of China’s busiest marriage seasons due to the Chinese New Year holidays and family gatherings. Despite this, the decline in registrations persists even as Beijing has implemented measures to boost marriage rates. These measures include allowing couples to register their marriages at centers nationwide, including tourist destinations, and offering longer marriage leave and financial incentives.

In addition, the number of divorce registrations also fell in the first quarter, decreasing by 1.27% year-on-year to 622,000 cases. Marriage figures are seen as a crucial indicator for future birth trends in China, where births outside marriage remain relatively uncommon.

The demographic situation has sparked concerns over potential long-term economic impacts, including labor shortages and increased pressure on pension and healthcare systems as the population ages. Official data showed China’s population decreased by 3.39 million last year to 1.4049 billion, marking the largest annual population decline since the famine years between 1959 and 1961. Furthermore, the country recorded only 7.92 million births last year, the lowest level on record.

In response, Beijing has pledged to ‘foster a new culture around marriage and childbearing and promote positive views on marriage and fertility,’ alongside enhanced policies under its latest five-year development plan.