Chinese Firms Push Workers to Marry Amidst Declining Birth Rates

In an alarming trend, Shandong Shuntian Chemical Group has mandated that unmarried employees must marry and have children by September or risk losing their jobs. This move, alongside similar actions from other firms, reflects rising concerns about China’s declining marriage and birth rates, which have led to backlash from a younger generation valuing personal autonomy.

In a striking development reflecting China’s demographic concerns, Shandong Shuntian Chemical Group has recently taken the unprecedented step of mandating that unmarried employees must marry and start families by September 30, or face termination. This internal memo, which circulated widely on social media, highlighted an ideal worker profile that emphasizes dedication, loyalty, and a commitment to family planning for the nation’s benefit.

This is not an isolated incident, as other companies are engaging in similar actions amid rising alarm over the country's declining marriage and birth rates. For instance, a well-known supermarket chain had previously instructed employees against asking for betrothal gifts as a way to ease the financial burden of weddings.

Both directives have ignited substantial criticism, with many young people in China pointing to the economic challenges of raising children and expressing a desire for individual freedom. They are increasingly rejecting the traditional norms that dictate familial obligations and are reluctant to let their employers dictate personal choices.

Recent statistics paint a stark picture: only 6.1 million couples tied the knot in China last year, marking a significant 20 percent drop from the previous year, the lowest since record-keeping started in 1986. Meanwhile, the national population has declined steadily for three years, intensifying worries about the future demographic landscape.