Worried China asks girls and boys to marry early, have kids, and retire late

In a bid to address a shrinking population and an ageing society, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) is intensifying efforts to encourage marriage and childbirth at younger ages. At the same time, the country is planning to gradually raise the statutory retirement age to manage the growing demographic challenges.

Push for Early Marriage and Childbearing

The NHC is calling for Chinese men and women to marry and have children at “appropriate ages,” as part of its efforts to reverse a declining birth rate. Yu Xuejun, deputy head of the NHC, emphasized the need for shared parenting responsibilities and a more positive outlook on family life. This initiative aims to cultivate a “new culture of marriage and childbearing,” Yu noted, as reported by the state-backed Global Times.

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Currently, Chinese men can only marry after turning 22, while women can do so after 20. These regulations come as part of a broader effort to encourage women to have children in response to China’s population decline, which continued for the second consecutive year in 2023. Many women, however, remain hesitant to have children due to high childcare costs, career concerns, and traditional societal roles that cast them as primary caregivers.

Raising Retirement Age to Combat Ageing Population

In addition to its push for early marriage and childbirth, China has also announced plans to raise the statutory retirement age, addressing concerns about its rapidly ageing population. According to the state news agency Xinhua, the retirement age for male workers will be extended from 60 to 63 years, while for female workers, it will increase from 50 or 55 years, depending on the job, to 55 and 58 years, respectively.

This gradual increase in the retirement age will begin in 2025 and is expected to be fully implemented by 2040. In addition, from 2030, the minimum required years of pension contributions to receive monthly benefits will be raised from 15 to 20 years, increasing by six months each year.The new rules will also allow workers to negotiate with their employers to postpone retirement beyond the statutory age, offering flexibility for those who wish to continue working.

A Response to Long-Standing Demographic Policies

China’s demographic challenges stem from its one-child policy, which was enforced between 1980 and 2015, as well as high education costs, which have dissuaded many families from having more than one child. Yu Xuejun acknowledged that the low birth rate and ageing population are natural outcomes of China’s economic and social development, but stressed the need for local authorities to continue efforts to promote sustainable demographic growth.

As the government calls for early marriages and births while extending the working years of its ageing population, China is navigating complex societal changes to ensure a balanced and sustainable demographic future.