More Chinese tied the knot in 2023, lifting marriage rates for first time in nine years

The number of new marriages in China jumped 12.4% in 2023 from a year earlier, reversing a downtrend that has lasted for almost a decade as more youth tied the knot after delaying their nuptials due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of newlyweds rose to 7.68 million last year, according to data released by the Ministry of Civil Affairs last week. The data comes after China's Premier Li Qiang pledged in March that the government would work towards "a birth-friendly society and promote long term, balanced population development", as well as reducing the cost of childbirth, parenting and education.