China’s Single Population Hits 300 Million! Something Worse Than Young People Not Marrying Happens

A Son's Plea: The Burden of Marriage in Rural China [00:03]

• A young man expresses his distress over the escalating costs of marriage, including a bride price of 350,000 yen, a house, and a car, stating he cannot afford these demands and fears no woman will marry him.
• He reveals his mother's attempts to set him up on blind dates, including with a middle school classmate who has been married twice and has a child, which he finds unsuitable due to her past and existing family.
• The parents' perspective prioritizes simply getting their son married, viewing a second marriage as potentially meaning the woman is more "family oriented."
• This scenario illustrates the harsh reality of forced marriages in rural areas, where parents' anxiety about their sons' marital status leads to lowered expectations for a partner.

  "Am I even your son anymore?"

The Struggle for a Partner: Unmarried Men in Rural Areas [01:41]

• In many rural areas, finding a partner has become a luxury for young men, exemplified by a family with three unmarried sons aged 45, 38, and 30.
• Despite numerous blind dates arranged by matchmakers, none have resulted in marriage, causing anxiety for the elderly father.
• A blogger in Jangi captured concerns that no one in a village has married in the last 6 years, despite men born in the 1980s and 1990s owning cars and houses.
• A 35-year-old man named Chu from Jiangxi's countryside expresses his low chances of ever getting married, even divorced women won't consider him.

  "Let me tell you honestly, there's a high chance I won't ever get married. You two need to be mentally prepared for that."

Economic Realities and Shifting Expectations for Marriage [03:20]

• A salary of 5,000 to 6,000 yuan, while seemingly sufficient for daily life in rural areas, is barely enough for an "entry ticket" in the marriage market.
• Bride prices start in the tens of thousands of yuan, with the "three essentials" (gold, a house, a car) being non-negotiable.
• Even divorced women with children are described as "picky," let alone ordinary young women.
• The parents' anxiety about their sons not marrying stems from a fear of no hope for retirement and breaking the family line, rather than just wanting a celebration.

  "When the economy collapses, how can anything survive under the collapsed nest?"

The Urban Contrast: Shanghai's Marriage Market and Ambitious Women [04:26]

• The scene shifts to Shanghai's People's Park marriage market, bustling with parents concerned about their daughters' marriages and single women setting up "shops."
• A woman born in 1996, with a stable income of around 100,000 yuan, a Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and a house, still seeks a partner.
• She desires someone with similar hobbies and interests, emphasizing that even a partner earning 5,000 yuan a month is acceptable if motivated, as she can support him and prefers someone reliable over a rich man.
• This highlights a surreal aspect of modern Chinese relationships: rural men struggling to afford marriage, while outstanding urban women, despite their achievements, await the "right match."

  "Compared to rich men, I would rather find someone reliable."

The Super Single Era: Demographics and Individual Choices [06:01]

• China is entering a severe "super single era," with the single population expected to surpass 300 million by 2025, equivalent to the population of the United States.
• Over 250 million of these singles have chosen to live alone.
• The unmarried rate for those aged 25-29 is 51%, and for 30-34 is 18%.
• A gender imbalance exists, with approximately 34 million more men than women in the 20-45 age group, contributing to a rise in the single rate for men.
• Despite the male surplus, 150 million women remain single, a demographic shift driven by a combination of economic pressures and evolving lifestyle choices.

  "These numbers are not just cold figures on statistical reports. They represent real stories unfolding in every corner of Chinese society."

Opting Out: The Rise of the "Moonlight Idealist" [07:26]

• More young people, particularly well-educated, independent women in cities, are opting out of traditional lifestyles, choosing low-material, high-freedom paths.
• Shaolin, a "moonlight idealist," dedicates her resources to self-care, spending over 2,000 yuan monthly on cosmetics and fashion, prioritizing personal happiness.
• She engages in activities like yoga, meditation, and travel, valuing present enjoyment over future financial planning for family.
• This choice is seen as a necessary response to societal pressures and economic realities, where personal well-being takes precedence.

  "I used to think I should save money for the future and for a family, but now I just want to give the best to myself in the present."

The Cycle of Poverty: Live Streaming and Delivery Drivers [08:56]

• The video illustrates an "absurd closed loop" in cities like Chengdu, where young women engage in live streaming for tips, and young men work as delivery drivers to earn meager fees.
• These individuals are described as each other's customers but are trapped in a cycle of poverty, with wealth flowing to platforms they cannot access.
• A netizen likens this to a "beggar's gang" in the digital age, divided into those relying on beauty tips and those earning through physical labor.
• A desperate job-seeking man kneeling in front of a hotel highlights the dire economic situation faced by many, with online commenters urging him to maintain his dignity.

  "Entrepreneurs, I beg you. Please give me a job with 8-hour shifts and two days off. Please, I beg you, please."

Marriage as a Luxury: The Unaffordability of Responsibility [10:28]

• The struggles of low-income laborers, like a designated driver experiencing an emotional breakdown, reflect the daily battle for survival.
• In such circumstances, marriage becomes a luxury rather than a necessity, an overwhelming responsibility that is difficult to imagine, let alone afford.
• Economic downturns exacerbate the feeling of marriage as a heavy, insurmountable chain, causing pain instead of being a haven.
• A video from Hunan shows a man returning home with little money and facing scorn from his wife, highlighting the strain on working-class families due to economic decline.

  "Life is so hard for working-class men in China."

The Unprecedented Population Avalanche: Declining Birth Rates and Government Response [11:38]

• A young girl found asleep on a food delivery electric bike, her father having left her unattended to make deliveries, sparks debate about responsibility and the harsh realities of poverty.
• The scene highlights the difficult choices faced by parents, with some arguing that not having children can be a responsible decision given the circumstances.
• Cold statistics foretell an impending population avalanche, with China's birth rate expected to drop significantly, reaching just 7.92 million in 2025, a decrease of over half since 2017.
• Projections indicate a potential net population decrease of 15 million annually by 2043, an unprecedented demographic shift.
• The Chinese government is implementing policies, including fertility subsidies and cracking down on bride prices, to encourage marriage and childbirth.

  "In such circumstances, not having children can also be a responsible choice."

A Generation's Silence: The Choice to Opt Out [14:13]

• A community worker's attempt to instill a sense of social responsibility regarding marriage is met with a defiant response from young people, questioning why it's their business.
• A netizen comments that the elderly man's concern is about his future pension, not societal function.
• Young people respond to "avalanche warnings" with silence and by turning away, indicating a disconnect between generations and their priorities.
• The video concludes by showing the diverse choices and struggles of individuals—from those traveling the country in vans to urban professionals prioritizing personal pleasure and delivery drivers facing daily hardship.
• Choosing not to marry or have children is presented not as a personality trait but as a rational, helpless act of self-protection when survival itself is a fierce battle.

  "From project's travels to roams the country in his van to Shaolin, the urban white collar who lives for her own pleasure... we see the choices and struggles of countless individuals in this era."