China debates lowering marriage age to 18 amid birthrate fears
During the annual parliamentary meeting in Beijing, delegates of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference will consider a proposal to lower the marriage age to 18 for both genders. This is intended to help combat the declining birth rate. However, the idea is sparking controversy.
Bankier.pl reports that China is taking further steps in the battle against the demographic crisis. At the annual meeting of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, delegates will discuss the proposal to reduce the minimum marriage age to 18 for both men and women.
Currently, the age is set at 22 for men and 20 for women. The proposal comes from Chen Songxi, a professor at Peking University, who believes that the change could help increase the birth rate.
China's population has been declining since 2022, and experts warn that the decrease in births could threaten long-term economic growth. However, Yi Fuxian, a demographer who has been advocating for changes in population policy for years, argues that lowering the marriage age will not achieve the desired effect, according to reports.
Even lowering the legal age of marriage to 18 will do nothing to boost the fertility rate now that people have become accustomed to marrying young and having children later – Yi says.
According to data for 2020, the average age for first marriages in China was 29.4 for men and 28 for women. Yi predicts that in the coming years, this will continue to rise, similar to Taiwan or South Korea, where couples often decide to marry only after turning 30.
Youth as "machines". Experts express concerns
The proposal has sparked numerous controversies online. Some commentators fear that the authorities view young people solely as a means to increase the birth rate.
The hidden aim of this is undoubtedly to treat young people like reproductive machines – wrote a user signing as Haitao.
According to many opinions, the key barrier to fertility is the rising cost of raising children, including high expenses for education and housing. Lowering the marriage age will not resolve these problems if young people continue to delay the decision to start families for financial reasons.
Professor Chen, who submitted the proposal, defends his idea, emphasising that it should be viewed as part of a broader package of solutions, including cash subsidies and medical support for families with children.
