• Chinese booking agents are emerging to help couples secure divorce appointments amid rising rates.
• Demographers predict divorce rates may reach 2.6 per 1,000 people in 2024, reflecting economic pressures.
• Financial stress linked to youth unemployment and economic downturn is exacerbating family conflicts.
• Demand for divorce appointments now exceeds availability, prompting the rise of informal agents.
• Government measures, including a mandatory 30-day cool-off period, have further complicated the divorce process.

Citing economic pressures, many couples in China are turning to booking agents to help navigate the increasingly difficult process of securing divorce appointments. Qin Meng, a medical office worker, has turned this need into a side business. She wakes up just before midnight to fill out clients' divorce certificate applications, charging 400 yuan (about $56) to assist couples struggling to find slots, which can be filled in mere seconds, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and South China Morning Post.

The anticipated divorce rate in China for 2024 is projected to reach 2.6 per 1,000 people, up from a low of 2.0 seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Demographer Yi Fuxian highlights the inverse relationship between divorce rates and birth rates, warning that increasing divorce numbers could exacerbate China’s demographic crisis. "Poverty destroys marriage," Yi stated, reflecting the financial stresses that couples are facing, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and South China Morning Post.

As the economy grapples with challenges such as rising youth unemployment and a stagnant job market, families are saving more and investing less, which heightens the tensions within marriages. The current situation compels couples to confront their financial realities, which can lead to increased marital breakdowns. "When the economy is in a downturn, people shouldn't be so eager to invest or consume," says Zhou Minghui, who experienced financial loss in her marriage, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and South China Morning Post.

The combination of the below-average commitment to marriage in the face of financial hardship and a governmental 30-day cool-off period for amicable divorces has contributed to an unprecedented demand for divorce slots. As these appointments are now more difficult to acquire than ever, informal agents like Qin have found a niche market by effectively advertising their services, which can range from 50 yuan to 999 yuan, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and South China Morning Post.

Qin has reportedly earned around 5,000 yuan since starting her endeavor, which is nearly half of her monthly salary from her full-time job. The burden of economic stress continues to put pressure on marriages, contributing to a rise in divorce rates, which she believes will persist moving forward. "The economy is not great, so there's more pressure at work and more conflicts in marriage," Qin added, illustrating the cycle of increased divorces amid ongoing economic challenges, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and South China Morning Post.