Chinese University Introduces First Marriage-Related Degree Course Amid Declining Marriage Rates

HONG KONG – China’s Civil Affairs University has announced the launch of an undergraduate program focused on marriage-related industries and culture, sparking mixed reactions on social media as the country grapples with declining marriage rates and a shrinking population.

Set to begin in September, the Beijing-based university’s Marriage Services and Management degree aims to “cultivate professionals to develop marriage-related industries and culture,” according to state media reports. The program comes as Chinese policymakers struggle to reverse falling birth rates, which are closely linked to the decreasing number of marriages. China’s population saw its second consecutive annual decline in 2023.

Marriage remains a prerequisite for having children due to policies requiring parents to present a marriage certificate for registering a baby and receiving benefits. Single women and LGBTQ couples do not have the same rights under these regulations.

The new program will enroll 70 undergraduates from 12 provinces this year. It will cover fields such as family counseling, high-end wedding planning, and the development of matchmaking products. The goal is to promote China’s positive marriage and family culture and advance reforms in marriage customs, as reported by the Global Times.

Despite the university’s intentions, the announcement has been met with skepticism and ridicule on China’s social media platform Weibo. One user suggested the creation of a “state-owned marriage agency,” while another questioned the degree’s relevance, commenting, “This industry is not just a sunset, it’s doomsday.”

While the number of new marriages in China increased by 12.4% in 2023, reversing nearly a decade-long decline, demographers caution that this spike was likely due to delayed weddings from the COVID-19 pandemic rather than a true recovery. Many young Chinese are choosing to remain single or delay marriage due to poor job prospects and low consumer confidence amid a slowing economy.

The university’s new program aims to address these challenges by developing professionals who can revitalize the marriage industry and promote stable family structures, but its success remains to be seen as China navigates these complex socio-economic issues.