China recorded 6.76 million marriage registrations in 2025, up about 11 percent from the previous year, according to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

The data also showed 2.743 million divorce registrations nationwide in 2025. Compared with 2024, marriage registrations increased by 657,000 couples, representing a year-on-year rise of 10.76 percent.

The increase comes as China has stepped up efforts in recent years to encourage marriage and childbearing at appropriate ages, while building a broader support system for families.

Interprovincial marriage registration procedures have been streamlined. The regulation, which took effect in May last year, removed regional restrictions and allowed couples to register their marriage anywhere in the country regardless of where their household registration is located. Besides, couples are no longer required to present a household registration record to registration officials.

Since the policy was introduced, cross-provincial marriage registrations appear to have increased, with relatively strong growth reported in cities that have large migrant populations. For example, Shanghai registered 125,102 marriages in 2025, up around 38.7 percent from 2024. Shenzhen recorded 118,900 marriage registrations, a 28.54 percent increase, while Fuzhou reported 37,887 couples, up 20.37 percent year on year.

Some local governments have also begun offering financial incentives to encourage marriage. In Lyuliang, north China's Shanxi Province, couples who register their first marriage in the city from January 1, 2025 are eligible for a 1,500-yuan ($216) reward.

Other regions have rolled out similar measures. In October last year, several cities in east China's Zhejiang Province introduced wedding-related consumption vouchers, offering newlyweds up to 1,000 yuan in benefits. The vouchers can be used for services across the wedding industry chain, including photography, wedding planning, travel and catering.