Macau recorded a 30% drop in marriages in the first quarter of 2025, with just 717 weddings registered, according to data from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC).
The decline interrupts a recovery seen over the past two years, during which marriage numbers had stabilized at around 3,150 annually following a sharp pandemic-era downturn.
During the Covid-19 years, marriage registrations fell by more than 25% year-on-year.
Despite slight improvements in 2023 and 2024, current figures remain well below pre-pandemic levels.
In 2018 and 2019, the city saw over 3,700 marriages per year, reflecting more stable demographic trends at the time.
In his 2025 Policy Address, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai announced a small increase in the marriage allowance, from MOP2,122 to MOP2,220, as part of broader welfare measures.
The adjustment accompanies other increases in birth and family-related subsidies.
“These measures aim to improve fertility support policies and take a multi-pronged approach to actively address low fertility issues,” Sam said. LV
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