Bride price custom faces scrutiny in China

In China, the age-old custom of bride prices - payments made by a groom’s family to secure a marriage - remains widespread and fiercely debated. 

A viral post from a woman in Guangdong has reignited national debate over China’s longstanding tradition of bride prices. Asking if 380,000 yuan (around $53,000) is a fair demand ahead of her marriage, the woman sparked thousands of online responses, Caliber.Az reports per The Economist. 

Many urged her to ask for even more. “Sis, it’s your life—don’t settle. Ask for at least 888,800,” wrote one commenter.

Despite economic development, bride prices remain deeply rooted in Chinese marriage customs. In some areas, the payment acts as a dowry given to the couple; in others, it serves as compensation to the bride’s family. Either way, the amounts are rising. Research by Yifeng Wan at Johns Hopkins University shows the median bride price in rural China doubled between 2005 and 2020. In Guangdong, 380,000 yuan far exceeds the provincial median of 42,000 yuan, though it’s closer to norms in neighboring Fujian.

The Chinese government has expressed concern, especially as it battles declining marriage and birth rates. High bride prices, particularly in rural areas, often plunge grooms' families into debt. While laws prohibit demanding money for marriage, enforcement is weak, and local officials rarely intervene.

In May, Gansu province announced a plan to “effectively control” bride prices by year-end and “gradually reduce” them in 2026. Yet, the plan lacks concrete penalties, raising doubts about its effectiveness.

Meanwhile, social and gender dynamics complicate reform. China’s projected 2027 gender ratio—119 men to every 100 women—drives fierce marital competition. Some women view bride prices as insurance against divorce. As one Weibo user put it: “Money is the foundation of everything... if the other side doesn’t even want to give it, that’s a problem.”

By Naila Huseynova