“Why do more and more people choose not to get married and have children?”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media
Despite the various endeavors made to encourage population growth after the abandonment of the one-child policy in 2015, China had only 9.56 million births in 2022, marking a record low since 1950. With a fertility rate as low as 1.09 in 2022, it seems China has fallen into the “low-fertility trap,” a concept that suggests the challenges in increasing […]
The shifting honeymoon market in China: fewer marriages, more personalized travel
In China, going on a honeymoon has become a common practice for newlywed couples. The honeymoon market in China has undergone significant transformations in recent years, influenced by shifting perspectives on marriage, evolving travel preferences, and the disruptive impact of COVID-19-related travel restrictions. This combination of factors has brought about a noticeable change in the […]
“What do you think of the number of people getting married during May 20th falling off a cliff?”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media
Due to the resemblance of the pronunciation of “520 (wǔ èr líng) or 521 (wǔ èr yī)” and “我爱你, wǒ ài nǐ”, which directly translates to “I love you” in English. It has become a growing trend for people in China to use the date May 20th as an unofficial Valentine’s day. As such, it […]
“Sichuan dropped birth registration restrictions on unmarried people”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media
After several years of decline in birth rates, China’s population dropped for the first time in 60 years, falling to 1.41 billion in 2022. To boost birth rates in the face of a shrinking population, the health commission of Sichuan province announced on January 28th that starting from February 15th, several restrictions for the registration […]