Single daters in China are turning to matchmaking events and in-person meet-ups where they can get together and celebrate Chinese culture. As the marriage rate declines in the region with younger people more reluctant to tie the knot, new initiatives are emerging to try and boost its appeal.
In China, a state-sponsored matchmaking app called “Palm Guixi” has rolled out in the eastern province of Jiangxi using data collected on single residents to set them up on blind dates. Local authorities are also organising in-person events in public areas such as parks where young singles can play games and dress up in traditional clothing as they get to know each other.
In 2021 there were 5.4 marriages per 1,000 people in China, compared with six marriages per 1,000 people in the US. Chinese Gen Yers are postponing or eschewing marriage entirely as a result of changing societal attitudes, with 44% of young women and 25% of young men in China saying they do not plan to marry.
With urban marriage rates in China significantly decreasing and many young people seeing it as a barrier to achieving freedom and independence, new events are popping up that focus on connection and culture in an effort to change attitudes toward marriage.
