Money

Chinese women choose single life as economy struggles

Published

2 years ago

March 7, 2024

Ahron Young

In a café nestled in the bustling city of Xian, freelance copywriter Chai Wanrou, 28, shares her views on marriage with conviction.

She’s among a growing number of young Chinese women who are choosing singledom, rejecting traditional societal expectations amidst economic uncertainty.

“Regardless of success or ordinariness, women still bear the brunt of sacrifices at home,” Chai Wanrou, a self-proclaimed feminist, expressed during an interview.

“Living my own life well is difficult enough nowadays,” she added, highlighting her disillusionment with the institution of marriage.

Chai’s sentiments echo a broader trend in China, where an increasing number of educated women are embracing “singleism,” rejecting the traditional trajectory of marriage and childbirth. This trend presents a challenge to the Chinese government, which has emphasised the importance of marriage and childbearing to address declining population rates.

Birth-friendly society

President Xi Jinping’s call for a “new culture of marriage and childbearing” and Premier Li Qiang’s pledge to create a “birth-friendly society” underscore the government’s concerns over demographic shifts. However, despite these efforts, the number of single individuals in China reached a record high of 239 million in 2021.

While marriage is still considered a significant milestone in Chinese society, the average age of first marriage has been steadily rising. Factors contributing to this shift include economic pressures, changing gender dynamics, and a perceived lack of suitable partners.

“Feminist activism is basically not allowed (in China), but refusing marriage and childbirth can be said to be … a form of non-violent disobedience towards the patriarchal state,” noted Lü Pin, a Chinese feminist activist based in the United States.

Online communities advocating for singleism have emerged, providing solidarity for individuals who reject traditional family structures. Social media platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douban host discussions on topics ranging from collective retirement plans to the challenges of finding compatible partners.

Self-exploration

For many women, the decision to remain single is rooted in a desire for self-exploration, frustration with patriarchal family dynamics, and difficulty finding partners who value autonomy and equality.

“There’s an oversupply of highly educated women and not enough highly educated men,” explained Xiaoling Shu, a sociology professor at the University of California, Davis. Gender imbalances resulting from China’s previous one-child policy have further exacerbated this issue.

While the number of people choosing singledom may not grow exponentially, delayed marriages and declining fertility rates pose long-term challenges to China’s demographic goals.

“In the long run, women’s enthusiasm for marriage and childbirth will only continue to decrease,” warned feminist Lü Pin. “I believe this is the most important long-term crisis that China will face.”

As more Chinese women assert their independence through personal choices, the government may need to reconsider its approach to family policies and gender equality to address evolving societal norms.

Money

US stocks face tests from Tesla, Netflix earnings

US markets brace for Tesla and Netflix earnings amid rising volatility and delayed inflation data

Published

6 days ago

October 19, 2025

Ahron Young

US markets brace for Tesla and Netflix earnings amid rising volatility and delayed inflation data

In Short:
– Earnings reports from Tesla and Netflix might affect U.S. stock performance next week amid high inflation concerns.
– Increased market volatility arises from U.S.-China trade tensions and fewer S&P 500 stocks in an uptrend.

This coming week, earnings reports from companies including Tesla and Netflix are anticipated to impact U.S. stock performance.

Investors are also awaiting delayed U.S. inflation data, which could test market stability as it remains near record highs.Recent trading activity has shown increased volatility, influenced by ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions and concerns regarding regional bank credit risks. The CBOE volatility index has seen a rise, indicating increased market uncertainty.

The S&P 500 entered its fourth year of growth amidst these fluctuations, having previously experienced a period of calm. Experts suggest market risks are intensifying as valuations reach peak levels.

Market Volatility

Concerns regarding U.S.-China trade relations escalated last week when the U.S. threatened to raise tariffs by November 1 over China’s rare-earth export policies. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping in two weeks to discuss these issues.

Despite these challenges, major stock indexes gained ground over the week, with the S&P 500 up 13.3% year-to-date. However, a noticeable decline in the number of S&P 500 stocks in an uptrend raises caution among investors about underlying market weaknesses.

The upcoming third-quarter earnings will be closely monitored, especially as the government shutdown halts economic data releases. Companies like Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, RTX, and IBM are due to report. The delayed U.S. consumer price index is also expected to provide crucial insights ahead of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting on October 28-29.

Money

Australia’s unemployment rate rises to 4.5 per cent

Australia’s unemployment rate rises to 4.5 per cent in September, prompting calls for potential Reserve Bank interest rate cut

Published

1 week ago

October 16, 2025

Ahron Young

Australia’s unemployment rate rises to 4.5 per cent in September, prompting calls for potential Reserve Bank interest rate cut

In Short:
– Australia’s unemployment rate rose to 4.5% in September, the highest since November 2021.
– Economists note a cooling labour market, with fewer job ads and increased participation rate amid rising living costs.

Australia’s unemployment rate increased to 4.5 per cent in September, up from 4.3 per cent in August.It marks the highest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate since November 2021.

Economists suggest that the Reserve Bank should consider another interest rate cut next month. BetaShares chief economist David Bassanese noted a slowdown in employment demand as the labour market struggles to accommodate job seekers.

The number of officially unemployed rose by 33,900 in September, while the employment count increased by 14,900. The labour force expanded by 48,800 people, resulting in a participation rate rise of 0.1 percentage points to 67 per cent, returning to July levels.

In trend terms, the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.3 per cent.

Labour Market

BDO chief economist Anders Magnusson stated that while the unemployment rate has increased, the labour market is cooling, not collapsing.

He pointed out that the 14,900 jobs added in September were slightly below the average for the past year.

A growing participation rate indicates that rising living costs are prompting more individuals to seek employment. Magnusson said the release confirms a gradual cooling of the labour market that keeps the Reserve Bank on track without necessitating immediate action.

He added that hiring activity is slowing, signalled by a 3.3 per cent drop in job advertisements in September, the largest monthly decrease since February 2024.

Despite this, he does not foresee a rate cut in November.

Money

Stocks rebound after Trump eases China trade tensions

Stocks rebound 600 points as Trump eases China trade tensions, signalling optimism in markets following Friday’s sell-off

Published

2 weeks ago

October 14, 2025

Ahron Young

Stocks rebound 600 points as Trump eases China trade tensions, signalling optimism in markets following Friday’s sell-off

In Short:
– Stocks rose on Monday after Trump expressed optimism about trade relations with China.
– The Dow Jones gained 621 points, with significant increases in tech stocks and broad market recovery.

Stocks gained ground on Monday, recovering from Friday’s decline after President Donald Trump expressed optimism regarding trade relations with China, stating they “will all be fine.”The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 621 points, approximately 70% of its previous loss. The S&P 500 experienced a 1.6% increase, nearing a 60% recovery of its earlier drop. The Nasdaq Composite increased by 2.3%, bolstered by rebounds in technology stocks.

Oracle’s stock surged over 5%, with AMD and Nvidia seeing 1% and 3% increases, respectively. Broadcom’s stock jumped 10% following the announcement of a partnership with OpenAI.

Trump’s comments hinted that he might not impose a significant increase in tariffs on China, which had previously caused market turmoil. Vice President JD Vance similarly indicated a willingness to negotiate with China, while also asserting that the U.S. holds advantages in potential trade discussions.

Broader Recovery

Monday’s trading saw a positive shift with four out of five S&P 500 stocks rising, indicating widespread recovery. Small-cap stocks also made gains, with the Russell 2000 rising over 2.5%.

Market concerns persist, however, with a government shutdown continuing and a major payroll deadline approaching on October 15. Earnings reports from major financial institutions, including Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase, are expected this week, potentially impacting market sentiment.