THE PRICE OF MARRIAGE

In the villages of rural China, a growing number of men are left waiting for brides who may never arrive. This stark reality is tied to the rising cost of caili (彩礼), or bride price, which has morphed from a cultural symbol of respect into a crippling financial barrier. As the economic pressures of securing a marriage escalate, the nation’s marriage rates continue to plummet, contributing to an aging population and a declining birthrate. The question remains: How has the rising bride price contributed to China’s demographic and social challenges, and what does this say about the government's role in addressing an increasingly unaffordable social expectation?

The Escalating Economic Burden of Bride Prices

Originally a symbol of respect and compensation to a bride’s family for the loss of her labor, caili has evolved into a significant economic transaction, particularly after China’s market liberalization in the 1990s. By 2023, the national average bride price had risen to 69,000 RMB ($9,500), with wealthier provinces like Zhejiang reporting averages exceeding 183,000 RMB ($25,000). In contrast, rural areas like Jiangxi faced exorbitant costs surpassing 380,000 RMB, excluding additional demands such as housing or vehicles. These economic pressures disproportionately affect poorer regions, where bride prices tend to be higher. For example, in Nanchang city, bride prices ranged between 128,000 and 188,000 RMB, while surrounding rural counties frequently exceeded these figures. This financial burden often drives rural families into cycles of debt, forcing them to sell assets or borrow heavily to meet societal expectations.

The crisis is so severe in Jiangxi that financial institutions like the Bank of Jiujiang introduced "bride price loans," offering up to 300,000 RMB at low interest rates with minimal requirements, such as being employed for a year and being at least 22 years old. Although the initiative was short-lived due to public outcry, it highlighted the financial desperation gripping rural communities. Simultaneously, rural women often face economic insecurity due to discriminatory practices despite legal protections. Land, the primary property in rural areas, is frequently treated as a male entitlement, leaving women without financial independence and perpetuating reliance on caili as a means to stabilize family economics.

The Marriage and Demographic Squeeze

Exacerbating these challenges is the skewed gender ratio, which intensifies competition for brides, particularly in rural areas. Decades of the One-Child Policy (1980–2016) and a cultural preference for sons have created a pronounced gender imbalance, with provinces like Jiangxi reporting ratios as high as 120.8 men for every 100 women. In regions such as Anhui and Henan, where men outnumber women by up to 20%, this "marriage squeeze" has further inflated caili as the perceived economic value of women in the marriage market rises. Families, especially in rural areas, often pressure daughters to marry younger, viewing marriage as a strategic opportunity for financial and social security. China’s population dropped by 1.39 million in 2024, bringing the total to 1.408 billion. This decline is a clear sign of the broader demographic pressures the country is facing, especially when coupled with rising caili costs.

Urban-rural disparities further deepen the crisis. Women with urban hukou (household registration) gain access to better state benefits, prompting many to "marry up" into urban households. This dynamic leaves rural men marginalized, economically burdened, and often unable to compete in the marriage market. For rural families, marrying daughters into urban households serves as a way to secure long-term economic stability. As 10.83 million more people moved to cities in 2024, caili costs became an even greater barrier to rural marriage, further skewing China’s demographic balance and weakening family-building in the countryside.The ripple effects of this dynamic are stark. By 2021, marriage registrations had dropped to a historic low of 7.64 million, and by 2023, rural regions reported up to a 50% decline in marriage rates over the past decade. These trends exacerbate China’s broader demographic challenges, including a declining birthrate and an aging population. With 22% of China's population over 60 in 2024, the rising cost of caili is making things worse for young rural men. Struggling to afford marriage, many are becoming "bare branches" (guanggun), bachelors who are left behind socially and economically. This demographic imbalance poses long-term risks to China’s labor supply, economic productivity, and the sustainability of its social welfare systems.

Government Interventions and Cultural Contradictions

Efforts to regulate caili have been marked by inconsistency and limited effectiveness, reflecting broader tensions between modernization goals and entrenched cultural traditions. Various provinces, such as Jiangsu and Gansu, have attempted to cap bride prices at 50,000 RMB, while campaigns advocating "zero bride price" have been introduced to promote affordable marriage practices. For instance, Nanchang held a 100-couple mass wedding on International Women’s Day in 2023, and agencies like the Pingxiang Civil Affairs Bureau released notices encouraging bride prices to return to their original form as symbolic "gifts," recommending a cap of 30,000 RMB. Similarly, Henan implemented marriage reforms across 20 regions, with guidelines in counties like Ningling and cities like Mengzhou capping caili at 30,000 and 60,000 RMB, respectively.

In rural areas, village cadres in regions such as Paifang and Youlan have taken grassroots approaches, gathering community support to address exorbitant bride prices and promote new social norms surrounding marriage and childbirth. However, these measures often fail to address the deeper cultural expectations that equate lavish marriages with status and success. Wealthier families circumvent regulations through informal exchanges of gifts, housing arrangements, or other assets, rendering enforcement efforts ineffective.

The government’s struggle to regulate caili is further complicated by inconsistent legal frameworks. In some regions, policies allow for the repayment of caili under specific circumstances, such as marriage registration or disputes over dowries. These inconsistencies create legal uncertainty, undermining efforts to curtail the practice. Moreover, the persistence of the hukou system perpetuates economic and social divides, amplifying the financial pressures driving caili inflation.

Social media has played a role in amplifying criticism of caili, often labeling it as "sky-high" (tianjia caili, 天价彩礼). However, such criticism frequently shifts blame onto women, neglecting the broader patriarchal structures that sustain these practices. While backlash against such norms reflects a growing demand for gender equality, women who prioritize career advancement and personal aspirations over traditional roles face societal pushback. This tension highlights the need for systemic reforms that not only regulate caili but also challenge deeply rooted gender expectations and socio-economic inequalities.

Transforming the Dynamics of Caili 

The caili crisis is a festering wound in China’s society, driven by a mix of tradition, greed, and gender inequality. Caili  turned into a transactional nightmare has long been accepted, but it is time to call out this corrosive practice for what it is: a financial exchange masquerading as a sacred custom. Furthermore, the "marriage squeeze" demands more than superficial solutions. Policies aimed at incentivizing later marriages such as tax benefits, housing subsidies, or parental support programs could help ease the financial pressures that drive early marriages, particularly for daughters.

The caili crisis cannot be considered in isolation; it is inherently tied to China's broader demographic and socioeconomic trends: declining marriage rates, falling birth rates, and an aging population. To address these interconnected challenges, a long-term, coordinated strategy is essential.

Image Credits: The Image is AI Generated.