Introduction
These days, the rate of marriage in China is declining. In China, there are currently 240 million single adults, almost twice the total population of Japan. The Chinese media predict that the single population in the country will reach 400 million in the future. There are more than 30 million more men of marriageable age than women in China, resulting in a serious “male surplus” (Budden 2017). According to statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the number of marriages in China has been on a downward trend since 2013, and the number of marriages nationwide in 2020 once again hit a record low.
There is some traditional background and basis for that phenomenon. In China, there is a custom that men have to give money to women when they marry. That cost is not low. In fact, it is too high for most men in China. Although there are some similar customs around the world, in China, this custom is called ‘Tsai-li’.
What is “Tsai-li (彩礼)”?
“Tsai-li” is a traditional Chinese custom, in which money or property is given by a man to a woman on their wedding day. In other countries, such as Japan, there is also such a thing as a gift of marriage, but it is not an absolute requirement. However, in China, everyone gives “Tsai-li.” As it is necessary to get engaged and pay the betrothal money before marriage, there have been a certain number of “光棍 (guang-gun),” which means “single men who were forced to remain celibate throughout their lives” in all periods of Chinese history because their families had to go into debt to raise the money for the betrothal and could not marry. In the 19th century China, there were around 20%. In order to eliminate the exhaustion of men who could not get married due to the high amount of money required for the betrothal and lack of financial resources, the Chinese government introduced a policy in the 1950s to prohibit ‘trading marriages’ (marriages through money) by setting limits on the amount of betrothal money and calling for simplification of the wedding ceremony. Since then, regulations have been loosened. Until the 1980s, the marriage bond and dowry did not disappear, but they were kept at low amounts. However, as regulations were relaxed beginning in the 1980s, dowries increased rapidly, reaching three or four times people’s annual incomes (Liping 2021).
The amount of ‘Tsai-li’ given varies from region to region. The rapid increase in marriage funds in rural areas is considered to be largely related to factors such as the imbalance in the sex ratio of men and women and the rural population exodus. Firstly, the imbalance in the number of men and women of marriageable age has increased the scarcity of women in the marriage market, leading to a sharp increase in the marriage fund. When the one-child policy, which was introduced after 1979, limited the number of children that could be born, the strong preference for boys and the desire for sons resulted in an unstable sex ratio, with the number of men of marriageable age far exceeding the number of women, making it difficult for men to marry (Chou 2021). In order to secure scarce and more desirable potential brides, parents with sons are forced to provide high endowments.
How much does it cost to get married?
Marriage in Jiangsu Province is relatively expensive, with an average of 200,000 yuan (about 28,000 dollars), followed by marriage in Shanxi Province with an average of 165,000 yuan (about 23,000 dollars). In addition, the regions around Sichuan and Chongqing are considered to be the cities with the lowest amount of betrothal money, as they do not place much importance on betrothal money.
Engagement funds also vary, depending on the person’s financial ability and the social status of the parents. In large cities where wealthy people congregate, such as Shanghai and Beijing, it is 100,000 yuan. Marriage can be approved for 10,000-60,000 yuan in some smaller areas (Pressly 2022).
Two ways to improve the situation
- Abolition of ‘Tsai-li’ custom
In China today, the marriage rate is declining as an increasing number of men are hesitant to marry due to the high costs of marriage. To solve this problem, the first step is to eliminate the practice of “Tsai-li.” Abolishing “Tsai-li” would remove the requirement for marriage bonds and reduce the burden on men and their parents, thereby lowering the hurdles to marriage.
- Establishment of support policies for marriage
In addition to the ‘Tsai-li’, there are many other costs associated with getting married. It may not be so much of a burden for the wealthy, but for the poor, it can be quite a burden. Therefore, establishing a system that assists people in getting married would help those who hesitate to get married because of financial reasons.
For example, the government takes measures to compensate about 40% of the average cost of marriage in each region. The burden on men would be reduced, while at the same time women would be more satisfied with their marriages.
Conclusion
In China, the marriage rate is declining due to the high costs that people have to take on when they get married. When people get married, they buy a house and a car, and at the same time, the high cost of “Tsai-li,” the betrothal money, is a big burden for them. Since this high financial burden needs to be improved in order to stop the decline in marriage rates and improve it, the first step would be to abolish the practice of “Tsai-li” and provide government support for marriage funding. Money is important when getting married, but people do not marry money. Hopefully, more people will be able to marry the person they love by reducing the financial burdens that come with marriage.
References
Budden, Rob. “Why Millions of Chinese Men Are Staying Single.” Bbc.com, BBC Worklife, 15 February. 2017, www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20170213-why-millions-of-chinese-men-are-staying-single [Accessed 13 November 2022].
Chou, Chou. “Can’t Get Married, Won’t Get Married… China’s Future Is “400 Million Singles Era”?” Www.afpbb.com, 9 March. 2021, www.afpbb.com/articles/-/3335479. [Accessed 13 November 2022].
Liping, Shi. Strategy for Securing a Successor to Husband-And-Wife Sides from the Perspective of the Bride Price and Dowry of the One-Child Generation: The Case Study in Shaoxing City. 31 March. 2021. [Accessed 13 November 2022].
Pressly, Linda. “The Cost of Wedding Spirals in China.” BBC News, 22 July 2011, www.bbc.com/news/business-14208448.[Accessed 13 November 2022].
Yeung, Jessie. “China Records Fewest Marriages Since 1986, Adding to Fears of Population Crisis.” CNN, 1 Sep. 2022, edition.cnn.com/2022/09/01/china/china-marriage-registration-record-low-intl-hnk/index.html. [Accessed 13 November 2022].
