BEIJING: China has offered financial incentives for marriages and childbirth as the population decline deepens. Some provinces in China and cities have launched wedding subsidies _ housing grants, and child-rearing payments in a major policy shift.
Zhejiang province is among the latest to announce wedding vouchers worth up to 1,000 yuan. Ningbo and Hangzhou will distribute subsidies on a first-come, first-served basis. Officials said the scheme aims to encourage early marriage among young residents.
“Baby Cities” Roll Out Larger Support Packages
Several regions have offered even stronger incentives, earning the label “baby cities.” Tianmen in Hubei province currently leads this national push. The city recorded a 17 percent rise in births this year. Authorities now offer families with three children up to 220,000 yuan in subsidies and housing benefits. Officials said the package ranks among China’s highest family support offers. Local governments aim to reduce financial burdens that discourage larger families.
China Confronts Long-Term Demographic Challenges
Experts widely link China’s demographic crisis to the former one-child policy. The policy operated for 35 years and created a fast-aging population and shrinking workforce. It also produced a gender imbalance with nearly 40 million more men than women. Although the government ended the policy in 2015, China’s birth rate keeps falling. Many young women remain reluctant to have children due to rising costs and workplace pressure. Surveys show that almost 40 percent of female university students do not want children. Economic uncertainty and elder-care responsibilities further discourage family planning.
National and Local Efforts Face Mixed Reactions
Beijing launched a national child benefit this year, offering 3,600 yuan annually for each child under three. However, local governments carry most responsibility for boosting births, resulting in uneven approaches. Some provinces reported intrusive outreach, including unwanted calls asking about menstrual cycles and pregnancy plans. Several regions have shifted toward marriage incentives instead.
Tianmen now offers a 120,000-yuan housing subsidy and higher maternity benefits. Couples registering locally also receive a 60,000-yuan marriage bonus. China recently scrapped rules requiring marriage registration only in hometowns. Despite these reforms, marriage rates continue to fall.
China recorded 6.1 million marriages in 2024, down sharply from 7.7 million in 2023. The figure remains far below the more than 13 million marriages recorded a decade ago. Officials expect President Xi Jinping to monitor the rising cost of these programs closely. Analysts remain unsure whether financial incentives can reverse long-term demographic decline or shift social attitudes among younger generations.
