As China Deals With Population Crisis, Xi Jinping's Nation Launches First University Degree Program That

In a novel move, Xi Jinping’s China has launched its first university degree program centered on marriage. The comprehensive curriculum includes courses on matchmaking, wedding planning, and marriage counseling.

What Happened: The Beijing-based Vocational University of Civil Affairs, under China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs, is introducing a four-year program in marriage services and management, CNBC reported on Friday. The program, according to Yu Xiaohui, the dean of the university’s School of Wedding Culture and Media Arts, is intended to encompass “the entire cycle of marriage and family.”

The curriculum covers a wide range of subjects, including sociology, wedding venue design, family ethics, the economics of the marriage industry, and family policies. Additionally, students will gain practical experience through internships at agencies specializing in weddings, matchmaking, marriage registration, and counseling.

The program, which begins enrollment in September, aims to address a talent shortage in the marriage services market. In its inaugural year, the university plans to admit 70 undergraduates from 12 provinces, as announced by the university’s vice president, Zhao Honggang.

Why It Matters: This educational initiative comes at a time when new marriages in China have seen a 12.4% surge in 2023, breaking a nine-year streak of declines. Despite this, over half of the Chinese population aged 25 to 29 remains unmarried, and late marriages are becoming increasingly common. The new institution also offers degrees in smart health care management, social work, rehabilitation assistive device technology, and funeral management.

This move aligns with China’s ongoing efforts to adapt to its changing demographic and economic landscape. The country’s economic growth has slowed, and it faces challenges in its youth unemployment rate and real estate sector. However, as emphasized by JPMorgan Asia Pacific CEO Sjoerd Leenart, China’s economic performance continues to significantly impact industries worldwide, making it a crucial player in the global economy.

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As China Deals With Population Crisis, Xi Jinping's Nation Launches First University Degree Program That Covers Matchmaking, Wedding Planning And Marriage Counseling