Chinese province quintuples marriage leave to give betrothals a boost
Hubei province, one of several regions attempting to reverse persistent declines in marriages and births, will provide 15 days of leave for newlyweds
Authorities in the central Chinese province of Hubei have announced they would extend the duration of the region’s paid marriage leave to 15 days, the latest move from a local government to provide incentives for marriage and slow the country’s decline in birth rates.
The extension, which includes the national minimum of three days, is meant to foster a more “family-friendly society”, according to a document issued by the provincial government on Monday.
“To fully implement national regulations regarding marriage leave…the province will establish a reasonable cost-sharing mechanism,” the document said.
This represents the steepest annual decline since 1978 – the year records began to be kept – and less than half the peak recorded in 2013, according to data from China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs released in February. Meanwhile, divorce registrations increased slightly to 2.6 million, up 1.1 per cent from 2023.
Despite government campaigns to limit extravagant weddings and exorbitant bride prices to lower the cost of marriage, it is still viewed as a prohibitive expense by many young couples.