In a cultural shift challenging traditional norms, Chinese women, led by figures like Chai Wanrou, 28, are increasingly embracing singledom
Chai, a freelance copywriter from Xian, expresses a sentiment shared by a growing number of women who view marriage as an unfair institution.
This trend comes at a time when President Xi Jinping emphasizes the importance of cultivating a new culture of marriage and childbearing, responding to a decline in the country’s population for the second consecutive year and historic lows in new births.
Premier Li Qiang also pledges to create a birth-friendly society and enhance childcare services.
Despite the Communist Party’s view of the nuclear family as a pillar of social stability, a rising number of educated women are choosing “singleism” amid unprecedented economic uncertainties, including record youth unemployment and an economic downturn.
Official data reveals that China’s single population, aged over 15, reached a record 239 million in 2021.
While marriage registrations saw a slight rebound last year due to a pandemic backlog, a 2021 survey by the Communist Youth League indicates that 44% of unmarried urban women do not plan to marry, highlighting a shifting societal landscape.
This growing movement poses a challenge to traditional expectations, reflecting evolving perspectives on relationships and independence among Chinese women.