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Recent trends in the Chinese family: National estimates from 1990 to 2010

Author

Listed:
  • Jia Yu

    (Peking University)

  • Yu Xie

    (Princeton University)

Abstract

Background: Family in China has experienced drastic changes in the past decades. Yet we have limited knowledge of the trends and patterns of the Chinese family in transition. Objective: This study provides a systematic documentation of the Chinese family in transition by estimating a variety of indicators of marital and fertility behaviors in China, including the singlehood rate, first marriage age, cohabitation rate, divorce rate, and nonmarital childbirth rate. Methods: We analyze data from the 1990, 2000, and 2010 China Censuses, the 2005 1% China Population Inter-Census Surveys, and the 2010‒2016 China Family Panel Studies. Results: The results indicate trends of delays in first marriage age and increases in premarital cohabitation in China. Despite below-replacement fertility, childlessness remains rare among married Chinese couples. In addition, almost all children are born and raised within marriage, with a virtual absence of nonmarital childbearing in China. Although we observe a slight increase in divorce across cohorts, the divorce rate within 10 years in China was much lower than in other East Asian societies. Conclusions: Our research suggests both continuity and changes in marital and childbearing behaviors in China. The trajectory of family changes in China has not followed those in Western countries. Contribution: This article documents the most recent Chinese family changes and provides national estimates of family behaviors in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Jia Yu & Yu Xie, 2021. "Recent trends in the Chinese family: National estimates from 1990 to 2010," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 44(25), pages 595-608.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:44:y:2021:i:25
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2021.44.25
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. William Lavely & Ronald Freedman, 1990. "The Origins of the Chinese Fertility Decline," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 27(3), pages 357-367, August.
    2. James Raymo & Larry L. Bumpass & Miho Iwasawa, 2004. "Marital Dissolution in Japan," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 11(14), pages 395-420.
    3. Margaret Maurer-Fazio & Rachel Connelly & Lan Chen & Lixin Tang, 2011. "Childcare, Eldercare, and Labor Force Participation of Married Women in Urban China, 1982–2000," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 46(2), pages 261-294.
    4. Yong Cai, 2013. "China's New Demographic Reality: Learning from the 2010 Census," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 39(3), pages 371-396, September.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Hyunjoon Park, 2021. "Introduction to the special collection on family changes and inequality in East Asia," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 44(40), pages 979-992.
    3. Gu, Jiafeng, 2024. "Determinants of public transportation disability among older adults in China," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 71-79.
    4. Lijun Yang, 2021. "The role of premarital cohabitation in the timing of first birth in China," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 45(8), pages 259-290.
    5. Xueqian Chen, 2024. "The Gendered Division of Housework in China: Parenthood Effects and Heterogeneity Across Parenthood Stages," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 43(2), pages 1-33, April.
    6. Anning Hu & Jiaqing Yu, 2026. "Particularistic but Happy: Familial–Extrafamilial Boundaries and Happiness in China," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 1-37, March.
    7. Zhongwu Li & Dewei Kong, 2024. "Is one's happiness associated with their spouse's income, and vice versa? Insights from China," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 105(1), pages 81-99, January.
    8. Weiwen Lai & Jing Song, 2026. "Changing roles of marriage and family status for labor migration? The case of rural China," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 55(5), pages 167-200.
    9. Guo, Yuanyuan & Sun, Dayu & Sun, Jianguo, 2022. "Inference of a time-varying coefficient regression model for multivariate panel count data," Journal of Multivariate Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    10. Lu, Haiyang & Zeng, Keya & Hu, Weiliang, 2025. "Too busy with the “rat race” to have kids? Longitudinal evidence on the impact of peer grit on the fertility of reproductive-age women in China," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    11. Misun Lee & Kryštof Zeman, 2024. "Childlessness in Korea: Role of education, marriage postponement, and marital childlessness," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 51(21), pages 669-686.
    12. Wanru Xiong, 2023. "Love is Elsewhere: Internal Migration and Marriage Prospects in China," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 39(1), pages 1-29, December.
    13. Li, Steven Zhongwu & Lu, Fengzhi, 2026. "Gender-gap reversal in education and the female labor supply: Evidence from China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
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    15. Wei Lu & Yunxia Fan & Yi Wei, 2026. "Educational competition and reduced family size in China," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 55(2), pages 43-72.

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    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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