In 2023, several major Chinese cities experienced a reversal in the decline of marriage rates, attributed to pent-up demand post-pandemic and increased migration. Cities in Jiangsu province and Shanghai reported significant increases in the number of marriages compared to 2022. However, overall population decline remains a concern, despite government efforts, such as increased subsidies and childcare support. While experts anticipate a modest increase in China’s overall population in 2024 due to factors like pent-up demand for childbirth, they caution that reversing the long-term decline in births will be challenging due to low birth rates and a decreasing number of women of childbearing age.