Newly released figures reveal a growing divorce rate across China. Many factors are leading to this scenario. Chief among them, research indicates that China's rising economy and its marriage policy might be partly to blame, which, in turn, may have an impact on the country's economic structure. CGTN's Li Jianhua explains. 

A new couple about to tie the knot. "Respecting, cherishing each other, raising kids and taking care of each other's parents." The young couple, like many others, seems ready for their future responsibilities. But diamonds don't always last forever. This couple who took the oath like the new couple has decided to end their marriage. Research shows in 2018, over 10 million Chinese couples got married, while almost four million ended their marriages a nearly 40-percent divorce rate. 

Departments for marriage consultations are set to turn the tide.

XU CHANJUAN GUANGZHOU BUREAU OF CIVIL AFFAIRS "Many don't have a clear concept of marriage and the responsibilities they should take. This should be promoted. When their marriage is in trouble, they can seek help at a family guidance center, where they'll get help from marriage consultants, psychiatrists and lawyers."

In any event, research shows China's divorce rate rose between 2010 and 2017, its marriage rate, however, has steadily declined since 2013.

LIU CHUNSHENG, ASSOCIATE PROF. CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF FINANCE & ECONOMICS "High divorce rates have a high ripple effect in society, including low birth rate and an aging population. It has an impact on a nation's economic structure. Mainly, it poses a challenge to the social endowment insurance system among others."

Experts say China's growing economy is partly to blame for the divorce rate. No-fault divorces introduced in the 1980s pushed the number higher. About 320-thousand marriages came to an end in 1979, while the number shot up to 2.5 million three decades later, a year on year increase of seven percent.

LIU CHUNSHENG, ASSOCIATE PROF. CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF FINANCE AND ECONOMICS "Western countries have experienced something similar. But their divorce rate is in line with the pace of their industrialization and post-industrialization. They were given time to solve problems one step at a time. China's rapid development of industrialization and informatization was formed in about 40 years. The social problems, along with rapid economic development have put a huge burden on the government all at once."

Experts believe this will also encourage the advent of some other new industries, such as the single economy and various social insurance policies for the divorced. 

LI JIANHUA GUANGZHOU "China's divorce rate has been on the rise, especially after the country adopted its reform and opening up policy in the 1980s. Research indicates the uptick in divorce is somewhat in line with the nation's rising economy. But this is just one of many factors contributing to this scenario. LJH, CGTN, GUANGZHOU."