Marriages in China dropped by a massive 20pc last year despite big efforts by authorities to encourage young couples to wed and have children to boost the country’s declining population.

More than 6.1 million couples registered for marriage last year, down from 7.68 million the year before, figures from the Ministry of Civil Affairs showed.

The figure marks the fewest marriages since public records began in 1986 and is less than half the peak reached in 2013 when 12 million weddings took place.

The number of registered divorces increased by 1.1 percent year-on-year to 2.62 million in 2024.

While the roots of the crisis are complex, Chinese authorities are attempting to boost interest in marriage and baby-making.

Measures taken last year by authorities to tackle the problem included urging China’s colleges and universities to provide “love education” to emphasize positive views on marriage, love, fertility and family.

And in November, China’s state council or cabinet, told local governments to direct resources towards fixing China’s population crisis and spread respect for childbearing and marriages “at the right age.”