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What is the legal age for marriage in China for men and women respectively
Time:2025-09-01 Views:740
The determination of the legal age of marriage should take into account both natural factors such as physical development and intellectual maturity, as well as social factors such as political, economic, and demographic development The legal age for marriage stipulated in China's Marriage Law in 1950 is 20 years for males and 18 years for females. This was in line with the level of political, economic, and cultural development at that time, as well as the level of consciousness and acceptance of the people. When the Marriage Law was amended in 1980, on the one hand, it was considered that appropriately raising the legal age of marriage would benefit the physical and mental health, work and study of young people, as well as family planning work; At the same time, it is also noted that the legal age for marriage is too high, which does not meet the requirements of natural laws and is detached from the masses and rural reality. Therefore, it is stipulated that 'men shall not be earlier than 22 years old, and women shall not be earlier than 20 years old'.
Firstly, delaying marriage and childbirth is not contradictory to the prescribed age for marriage. Because the marriage age stipulated in China's Marriage Law is based on the actual situation in our country. China has a vast territory with a population of over 1.2 billion, more than 900 million farmers, and over 50 ethnic groups. The local customs and traditions vary from place to place. Therefore, the state should not raise the marriage age too high.
Secondly, the legal age of marriage is the minimum age line for marriage. Just requiring young people not to get married earlier than this age does not mean that it equals the most suitable and ideal age for marriage. In other words, it does not mean that every young person must get married at this age. Therefore, the Marriage Law explicitly states that "late marriage and late childbirth should be encouraged".
Thirdly, the legal age of marriage is set out from the reality of our country, and late marriage and late childbirth are considered from the population situation and reproductive physiological function of our country, which are not contradictory. The key lies in correctly understanding, comprehending, and handling the relationship between the two. All young men and women who aspire to contribute more to China's modernization construction should actively respond to the call of the Party and the state, and strive to change customs and traditions. A model of late marriage and late childbirth.
Marriage that is entered into before reaching the legal age for marriage is invalid and does not enjoy the rights and obligations between spouses under the law. According to the Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China, a marriage is invalid in any of the following circumstances:
1. Bigamy;
2. There are relatives who are prohibited from getting married;
3. Those who suffer from diseases that are medically considered unsuitable for marriage before marriage and have not been cured after marriage;
4. Those who have not reached the legal age for marriage.
The relevant legal basis for the legal age of marriage for men and women in China is:
Article 6 of the Marriage Law [Statutory Age of Marriage] The age of marriage for men shall not be earlier than 22 years old, and for women shall not be earlier than 20 years old. Late marriage and childbirth should be encouraged.
The above is the latest information collected by the editor of Fanneng Law Firm on the legal age of marriage for men and women in China. In summary, according to Chinese laws and regulations, men cannot get married before the age of 22, and women cannot get married before the age of 20. If you have any other legal questions, please feel free to consult our lawyers at Faneng Law Firm. Sichuan Faneng Law Firm is dedicated to serving you.