China is grappling with a significant gender imbalance, with approximately 35 million 'leftover men' unable to find partners due to demographic shifts stemming from the one-child policy. The Seventh National Population Census in 2020 reported a surplus of 34.9 million men, prompting discussions about potential solutions to this pressing social issue [a51bffc1]. In light of this, Ding Changfa, an associate professor at Xiamen University, has proposed that these men consider international marriages, particularly with brides from countries such as Russia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Pakistan. This suggestion arises as a response to the high bride prices in rural areas, which can range from 500,000 to 600,000 yuan (approximately US$70,000 to US$84,000), while the average rural income is just over 20,000 yuan (around US$2,800) [a51bffc1].
However, the context for these proposals is becoming increasingly dire. Recent statistics indicate that marriage registrations in China could fall to as low as 6.01 million in 2024, with only 4.75 million couples registering marriages in the first nine months of 2024—a 16.6% drop from the previous year. The third quarter of 2024 saw just 1.32 million marriages registered, marking a decline of over 25% from the previous year and the lowest quarterly reading since 2008 [33b1e16f].
The declining marriage rate, which has now fallen for nine consecutive years since peaking at 13.47 million in 2013, raises concerns about the future of family structures in China. In 2023, there were 7.68 million marriage registrations, a 12.36% increase from 2022, but this was not enough to reverse the downward trend [33b1e16f].
In response to the growing demand for international marriages, matchmaking services are emerging, particularly between China and Russia. These services aim to facilitate connections between Chinese men and potential brides from abroad, reflecting a shift in societal attitudes towards marriage and partnership in the context of the gender imbalance [a51bffc1].
Moreover, local governments are introducing cash incentives to encourage marriage and childbirth, such as Luliang city offering 1,500 yuan (US$211) for first marriages [33b1e16f]. Despite these efforts, deeper issues remain unaddressed, including the overall decline in birth rates, which is estimated at around 2.5 per 1,000 people, and a population drop to 1.4 billion in 2023, with only 9 million births reported, the lowest since 1949 [33b1e16f]. As the nation grapples with these intertwined issues, the concept of international marriages may emerge as a controversial yet potentially viable solution to the gender imbalance, further complicating the social landscape in China [a51bffc1].