China considers lowering marriage age to combat low birth rate
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 measure is intended to help combat the declining birth rate. However, the idea is sparking controversy.
According to Bankier.pl, China is taking further steps to address the demographic crisis. During the annual meeting of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, delegates will discuss lowering the minimum marriage age to 18 for both men and women.
Currently, the minimum marriage age is 22 for men and 20 for women. The proposal comes from Chen Songxi, a professor at Peking University, who believes that this change could help increase the birth rate.
The Chinese population has been declining since 2022, and experts warn that the drop in births could threaten long-term economic growth. Yi Fuxian, a demographer who has advocated for changes in demographic policy for years, argues that lowering the marriage age will not have the desired impact, according to the report.
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, says Yi.
Data from 2020 shows that the average age of first marriage in China was 29.4 years for men and 28 years for women. Yi predicts that this trend will continue, similar to patterns seen in Taiwan and South Korea, where couples often marry only after turning 30.
Youths as "machines." Experts express concerns
The proposal has stirred considerable controversy online. Some commentators fear that the authorities view young people solely as a means to increase the birth rate.
The hidden goal of this is undoubtedly to treat young people like reproductive machines, wrote a user identified as Haitao.
Many believe the main barrier to fertility is the rising cost of raising children, including high expenses for education and housing. Lowering the marriage age will not solve these issues if young people continue to delay starting families for financial reasons.
Professor Chen, who submitted the proposal, defends his idea, emphasizing that it should be seen as part of a comprehensive package of solutions, including financial subsidies and medical support for families with children.
