Why ordinary Chinese oppose lowering the legal marriage age to 18
Every few years, when the time comes round for China's annual political meetings, or 'two sessions', there's bound to be an adviser who suggests lowering the legal marriage age to 18.
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This year, that person is Chen Songxi, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). He told the media that China's marriage age is among the highest in the world, and should be lowered to 18 to 'unleash reproductive potential'. The legal age for marriage in China is 22 for men and 20 for women, compared with most developed countries where the legal marriage age is 18.
Unsurprising, this suggestion drew waves of criticism online, just like previous times.
In 2019 and 2021, others had also proposed this, with the reason that these ages had been set back when China wanted to put the brakes on rapid population growth.
Now the situation is vastly different.
China's population fell for a third consecutive year in 2024, as marriages plunged by a record 20 per cent, despite the
authorities' efforts to encourage young couples to wed and have children.
There's almost no support for these proposals on the Chinese internet. On Weibo, popular voices said lowering the age would not be meaningful. One post read: 'Society should progress in civilisation, not regress to the barbaric era.' Another said: 'At 18, you're not even mature enough to be a parent and it's hard enough earning a living for yourself. How are you going to raise a child?'
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The lawmakers might be taken aback by some of the more vehement comments. To their minds, this is just about bringing China in line with international standards and arresting population decline, a trend that will ultimately hurt the economy.
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