Since the beginning of this year, various regions across China have begun providing financial incentives for marriage to boost the birth rate.

今年以来，中国多个地区已开始提供结婚相关经济激励，以推动出生率提升。

The number of first marriages in China plummeted to 9.17 million in 2024, a drop of over 60 percent from the 23.86 million peak in 2013. Marriage registrations have fallen from 13.47 million couples in 2013 to 6.11 million last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

国家统计局数据显示，2024年中国初婚人数骤降至917万，较2013年2386万的峰值下降超60%。婚姻登记对数也从2013年的1347万对降至去年的611万对。

A patchwork of local initiatives aimed at fostering a marriage and birth-friendly social environment has emerged.

各地已纷纷出台一系列地方性举措，旨在营造有利于结婚生育的社会环境。

In Zhejiang, a coordinated provincial effort is underway to encourage couples to tie the knot. Since Oct 28, Ningbo has been offering newly registered couples 1,000 yuan ($140) in consumption vouchers that can be used for wedding-related expenses, such as banquets, photography, and travel. Similar vouchers are available in Hangzhou, Shaoxing's Keqiao district, and Jinhua's Pujiang county.

在浙江，全省正协同发力鼓励情侣步入婚姻。自10月28日起，宁波向新登记结婚的夫妻发放1000元（约合140美元）消费券，可用于婚宴、摄影、旅游等婚庆相关支出。杭州、绍兴柯桥区、金华浦江县也推出了类似消费券政策。

In Guangzhou's Baiyun district, Nanling village offers even more generous incentives. Early in 2025, the village announced rewards of up to 80,000 yuan for first marriages and up to 120,000 yuan for childbirth. It requires couples to maintain their marriage for at least one year before receiving the subsidy.

广州白云区南岭村的激励力度更为丰厚。2025年初，该村宣布对初婚夫妻奖励最高8万元，生育子女奖励最高12万元。政策要求夫妻需维持婚姻关系至少一年方可领取补贴。

He Jiamin, a Nanling village official, said that the policy's incentive effect is already evident, with a noticeable increase in registrations expected compared to previous years, Jiemian News reported on Tuesday.

据界面新闻周二报道，南岭村村干部何佳敏(音译）表示，该政策的激励效果已初步显现，预计今年的婚姻登记数量将较往年有明显增长。

Shanxi's approach is more direct. Since Jan 1, eligible newlyweds in Lyuliang can receive a 1,500 yuan cash bonus at the registration office without needing to apply.

山西的做法则更为直接。自1月1日起，吕梁符合条件的新婚夫妻在登记处即可领取1500元现金补贴，无需额外申请。

Beyond these marriage incentives, many regions are setting up comprehensive support systems covering marriage, childbirth, daycare, and education. Marriage registration is becoming more convenient, and support policies are extending beyond marriage to offer childcare subsidies, extend marriage leave, and more.

除结婚激励外，多地正构建涵盖结婚、生育、托育、教育的全方位支持体系。婚姻登记流程不断简化，支持政策也从结婚延伸至育儿补贴、延长婚假等多个方面。

Despite these efforts, experts emphasize that the structural decrease in the number of women of childbearing age presents a significant challenge.

不过专家强调，育龄女性数量的结构性下降仍是一大挑战。

From 2010 to 2020, the number of women aged 15 to 49 decreased by 57.49 million, while those in their prime childbearing years, aged 20 to 29, dropped by 34.63 million. This demographic shift is a key factor driving the decline in marriage registrations, suggesting that more comprehensive and systemic measures are essential to address these challenges.

2010年至2020年间，中国15-49岁育龄女性减少5749万，其中20-29岁黄金生育年龄女性减少3463万。这一人口结构变化是婚姻登记数下降的关键因素，意味着需要更全面、系统性的措施来应对这些挑战。

demographic

/ˌdeməˈɡræfɪk/

adj.人口结构的；人口统计的