Why Did Weddings Briefly Increase in China Despite the Saying "Marry in 2024 and Become a Widow"?

2024 is a Muchunnyeon Without Ipchun... "Year of the Widow"
Marriage Rates Expected to Decline Again Starting Next Year

According to an analysis by China News Weekly, the number of couples getting married during this year's Chinese National Day holiday (September 29 to October 6) was significantly higher compared to previous National Day periods.

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Although the National Day holiday has traditionally been considered a peak season for weddings due to its week-long duration, this year, couples who had postponed their weddings due to the impact of COVID-19 are holding ceremonies to avoid the "Widow Year" of 2024.

The "Widow Year" refers to a "Muchun year" in the lunar calendar, which is a year without the beginning of spring (Ipchun). This year is a "Ssangchun year," meaning it has two Ipchun occurrences, one of which falls before the lunar new year. Many couples believe that Ssangchun years bring good fortune, so they choose to marry during these years.

Since this year has two Ipchun occurrences, next year will be a Muchun year without any Ipchun. According to superstition, couples who marry in a Muchun year will face early death of the husband, the wife becoming a widow, and being unable to have children. Because of this, Chinese people refer to this year as the "Widow Year" and avoid getting married during it.

Regarding this, representatives from the Chinese wedding industry stated, "In the second half of this year, we have been receiving a flood of wedding inquiries from couples trying to avoid the Widow Year."

China's Marriage Numbers Decline for 9 Consecutive Years... Birth Rate Also Drops

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However, the number of marriages is expected to increase only temporarily this year, the Ssangchun year, and then decline again starting next year. Due to multiple factors such as a decrease in the marriageable population and economic stagnation, the number of marriages has been decreasing for nine consecutive years from 2014 to 2022.

Alongside this, the birth rate is also declining. Last year, the number of newborns in China was 9.57 million, falling below 10 million for the first time since 1949, and the birth rate reached a record low of 1.09 children per woman.

The Chinese government is actively encouraging marriage by easing marriage registration procedures. Additionally, it is implementing support measures such as granting priority housing rental rights to families with multiple children and providing childbirth incentives and childcare subsidies by local governments. However, these efforts appear to have had minimal effect.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.