The highest number of people getting married last year was in their 20s and early 30s.

In recent days, the Ministry of Civil Affairs released the Statistics Bulletin for the Development of Civil Affairs in 2022. According to the statistics bulletin, in 2022, a total of 6,835 million couples were married through legal means across China, marking a decrease of 10.6% compared to the previous year. This trend reflects a continuous decline in the number of marriages and delayed marriage ages among couples in China.

The marriage rate was recorded at 4.8 per thousand individuals, down by 0.6 percentage points from the previous year. Among the newlywed couples, the majority (53%) were between the ages of 25 and 29, indicating that the highest number of people getting married last year was in this age group. This is also consistent with the trend over the past decade as 37.24% of all legally married couples were aged between 25-29, making it the most popular marriage age group for the tenth consecutive year.

However, despite the legal framework protecting marriages and property rights, netizens have expressed concerns about their future in terms of housing, stock market stability, and retirement plans. The increasing cost of living, economic uncertainty, and changes in social norms about marriage are all factors contributing to this trend.

Weibo users have shared numerous comments expressing their anxieties about the real estate market, with some joking that they would rather wait for prices to stabilize before tying the knot. Others expressed concerns about the stock market and retirement security, highlighting a growing sense of uncertainty among younger generations regarding their long-term prospects.

In addition, netizens have also raised questions about whether getting married is still a viable or desirable option for many individuals. Some express frustration over the lack of eligible partners with stable careers and financial security, suggesting that traditional expectations of marriage may no longer align with reality for many young adults in China.

However, other Weibo users advocate for the idea that marriage should not be driven by material considerations but rather by genuine love and compatibility. They argue that focusing on these aspects will ultimately lead to a more fulfilling and successful union.

This trend of delayed marriages and decreased rates in China reflects societal changes and shifting values among the younger generation, indicating a paradigm shift in traditional marriage expectations and timelines. As society continues to evolve, it will be intriguing to observe how these trends adapt and develop in the coming years.