Opinion | Why China’s single population boom is no cause for alarm
- The news that China’s single population has reached 240 million has sparked alarm in some quarters. However, concerns over the threat to individual well-being and social stability posed by the growing number of single households are overblown
Recently, the Ministry of Civil Affairs released data showing that China’s single population has reached 240 million. There are 77 million single households, expected to rise to 92 million next year. Other reports suggest the number of single households may exceed 100 million. China now has the largest single population in the world.
In the wake of this data, I was not surprised, but nevertheless amused, to read a bunch of articles with alarming headlines: “Is being single a private matter or a social issue?” “The real problem of too many singles must be solved without delay”.
In such articles, dire concerns are raised about the singles themselves, as well as society as a whole. It is feared that such a large number of single people may lead to mental health problems, a boom in pornography and prostitution, and diminished stability. One article even goes as far as to say: “Those don’t extricate themselves from singledom are being irresponsible to themselves, to their families, to society and to the nation.”
The trend definitely has serious implications for health care, housing, population growth and consumption. Already, the so-called “singles economy” has been growing, generating products such as a rice-cooker for one person.
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