Transformation of China’s First Marriage Pattern：Based on Nuptiality Table

The role of first marriage in population dynamics is significant, given the close link between nuptiality and demographic behavior. China’s first marriage pattern has undergone some transformations as the country experiences substantial socioeconomic restructuring over the past three decades. Constructing the nuptiality table as an analytical instrument, this paper establishes important measures that can serve as a multi-dimensional barometer with which one can explore and evaluate the new developments of China’s first marriage pattern. Our analysis reveals that China remains as a universal-marriage society despite a steady rise of the age at first marriage. However, a certain share of people is forced to remain single at their life time. Chinese men seem to not enjoy advantages over women in the processes of marital formation and sustainability, despite China is regarded as a male-dominant society. Furthermore, gender disparity in first marriages is reduced, though increasing gender inequality in China has been widely reported. Findings in this paper can serve as the departing point when further analyzing research and policy implications of new developments in the first marriage pattern.