Desperate over marriage decline, China launches first marriage-related university course

A Chinese university has announced a new bachelor’s degree course in marriage aimed at developing marriage-related industries and culture, a move that has drawn criticism from people who question the need for such courses amid a decline in the number of marriages.

A Chinese university has opened a marriage course PHOTO Archive

The project will be held at Beijing Minzheng University and is expected to start in September. “Cultivate professional talents and support the marriage and love industry and culture.”

The decision comes as China faces a falling birth rate, which is closely linked to a drop in the number of marriages. In 2023, China’s population declined for the second consecutive year.

In China, marriage is considered essential to having children due to its policies, which include requiring parents to present a marriage certificate to register a child and enjoy benefits that are not available to single women and LGBTQ couples.

is called Marriage Services and Managementnew degree program will focus on the development of the marriage industry, “Aims to promote China’s positive marriage and family culture to students and the public, and to promote marriage customs” From this country.

This year, the school will enroll 70 students from 12 provinces, who will receive training in the following areas: “Family Consulting, Wedding Planning and Matchmaking Services”.

The ad sparked controversy on China’s Weibo social media platform, with some people mocking the ad.

“It’s time for a national marriage agency to emerge”one user wrote.

Others questioned the need for such a plan, saying “This industry is not just declining, it’s the end of the world”.

Although the number of newly married people in China increased by 12.4% in 2023 from the previous year, reversing a downward trend that had lasted for nearly a decade, analysts warned that this was more due to the postponement of marriages in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to poor job prospects and low consumer confidence, many young people choose to remain single or postpone marriage. Economic growth in the world’s second-largest economy has slowed.