BEIJING — China is implementing extended marriage leave in at least 27 provincial-level regions as part of ongoing efforts to create a more family-oriented society.

Recently, the government of Sichuan Province announced plans to extend marriage leave from three to 20 days, with an additional five days offered for those opting for a premarital medical checkup.

This proposal is currently subject to public comment throughout June.

An employee from a human resources firm in Sichuan noted the challenges posed by the previous three-day allowance for wedding celebrations and expressed that a longer leave would provide couples with ample time for both the ceremony and a potential honeymoon.

In January, Shandong Province, located in east China with a population exceeding 100 million, reinforced its commitment to family values by legislating an extension of marriage leave to a maximum of 18 days.

Currently, newlyweds across the nation are allotted a standard three-day marriage leave, a practice originating in 1980.

Legislators have indicated that the existing leave duration does not adequately accommodate the needs of modern couples in managing wedding preparations and ceremonies, which may have contributed to recent declines in marriage registrations and birth rates.

Notably, Shandong's senior legislator highlighted that the limited leave can constrain couples from registering their marriages.

As rapid industrialization and urbanization lead millions of young adults to migrate in search of educational and career opportunities, the tradition of returning home for weddings remains strong.

Many couples must travel considerable distances to hold their ceremonies, necessitating significant time away from work.

Provincial governments in China possess the authority to set their own marriage leave durations, influenced by local customs and demographic policies.

For instance, provinces like Shanxi and Gansu offer generous policies, allowing up to 30 days of paid leave for newlyweds.

The initiative to revise marriage leave policies comes in light of declining marriage registrations in China, with official statistics revealing that 1.81 million couples registered to marry in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting an 8 percent decrease from the previous year.

After a brief resurgence in 2023, registrations have now hit their lowest levels since 1980.

Experts attribute the decline in marriage registrations to multiple factors, including a decreasing pool of marriage-age adults and shifting attitudes towards matrimony.

A notable demographic trend indicates that birth rates have also decreased, with only about 10 million children born annually since 2000, in contrast to more than 20 million during the 1980s.

Demographers have noted that the changing sociocultural landscape has significantly affected traditional views on marriage, with increasing educational attainment contributing to a delay in marriage until later life stages, often aligned with family planning.

In response to these challenges, authorities nationwide are rolling out various measures to cultivate a more newlywed-friendly environment.

For instance, the marriage registration process has been streamlined, allowing couples to register without presenting household registration documentation as of May.

Additionally, local governments are extending parental leave benefits to further support families in their planning.

However, concerns remain that the provision of extended leave might become untenable for businesses facing economic pressures.

Experts have suggested that local budgets may need to assist enterprises with the costs associated with these policies.

Notably, proposals to coordinate funding mechanisms for marriage and parental leave are becoming increasingly resonant among policymakers, as illustrated by a recent draft policy statement from Sichuan provincial authorities.

The document emphasizes the need for county-level coordination in establishing a reasonable cost-sharing framework to facilitate the full implementation of these leave policies.