China is introducing a new incentive to boost marriage rates, as the country faces a rapidly aging population and declining family formation. The city of Ningbo has announced that couples who register their marriages between October 28 and December 31 will receive marriage consumption vouchers worth 1,000 yuan ($141).
These vouchers can be used for a variety of wedding-related expenses, including ceremony arrangements, photography, hotel stays, retail shopping, and other services linked to the celebration. The offer, however, is limited and available strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, prompting many couples to register early to secure the benefit.
The initiative comes at a time when China’s marriage rates continue to fall sharply, down by 20% last year alone. Rising living costs, career pressures, and shifting social attitudes have contributed to fewer young people choosing marriage, raising concerns for the country’s long-term demographic stability.
In response, several cities have begun experimenting with financial incentives and support programs to encourage family formation. Similar voucher schemes are already active in Hangzhou and Pinghu, reflecting a nationwide effort to reverse declining marriage and birth rates.
Ningbo’s voucher program is expected to stimulate both marriage registrations and local economic activity, as spending on weddings often boosts multiple sectors. While experts say incentives alone may not fully solve China’s demographic challenges, these steps highlight the government’s growing focus on making marriage, and eventually parenthood, more appealing for young couples.
