Abstract: Based on data from population censuses and a specialized survey, this paper systematically examines the trends, characteristics, and determinants of late marriage and non-marriage in China from 1990 to 2020. The findings reveal that the size of the never-married population aged 30 and above has been growing since 1990, with a larger absolute increase among men but a faster growth rate among women. The urban never-married population surpassed the rural never-married population after 2010. Among the never-married population aged 30 and above, those with a junior high school education constitute the largest increment, while those with a college degree or higher exhibit the fastest growth rate. In addition, the lifelong never-married population has grown, with men outnumbering women and in rural areas exceeding in urban areas. While the largest increment occurred among those with lower educational attainment, recent years have witnessed accelerated increases in both the size and prevalence of non-marriage among highly educated groups. Further analysis reveals that never-married people aged 30 and above exhibit low marriage intentions and demonstrate passive dating behaviors, which are likely to further depress marriage rates and elevate late marriage and non-marriage rates. Structural mismatches in marriage markets and economic pressures are the predominant factors influencing marital decision-making. The study proposes marital support policies focusing on expanding partner-matching networks and reducing the economic costs of marriage.

Keywords: Late Marriage, Non-Marriage, Marriage Intention, Marital Support

摘要： 基于全国人口普查数据与中国不婚不育少育群体专项调查数据，系统分析1990~2020年中国晚婚不婚现象的演变趋势、特征及原因。研究发现，中国大龄未婚人口规模持续增长，男性增量更大，女性增速更快，城镇增速快于农村且规模在2010年后反超农村，初中学历增量最大，大专及以上学历增速最快；终身不婚人口始终保持增长态势，男性多于女性，农村多于城镇，低学历增量最大，但近年来高学历终身不婚人口规模增长及终身不婚水平提升明显；当前中国大龄未婚群体结婚意愿较低，婚恋表现消极，未来很可能进一步拉低结婚率、推高晚婚不婚水平。合适婚配资源短缺与经济压力较大是制约大龄未婚群体步入婚姻的主要因素，建议从拓展婚配网络与降低结婚经济成本入手构建婚姻支持政策体系，助力适龄人群实现结婚愿望。

关键词: 大龄未婚, 终身不婚, 结婚意愿, 婚姻支持