Why Divorce in China Requires a Booking Agent
In China, filing for divorce has become more complex than just submitting paperwork. Couples are now required to secure an appointment on the Civil Affairs Department’s online platform—twice. First, to initiate the divorce process, and then again after a mandatory 30-day cooling-off period. However, the high demand and limited slots make securing these appointments challenging, leading to the rise of specialized booking agents.
The Rise of Divorce Appointment Booking Agents
Qin Meng, a 30-year-old medical office worker, has turned this challenge into a lucrative side hustle. She wakes before midnight to prey on the exact moment daily appointment slots open on the government portal. By swiftly completing and submitting application forms, Qin helps clients secure elusive divorce registrations.
Her service comes with a fee of 400 yuan ($56), a small price for couples who might otherwise wait months. The quick disappearance of openings ‘‘in the blink of an eye’’ showcases how fierce the competition for these slots has become.
Economic Pressures Fuel Rising Divorces
China is grappling with an increasing divorce rate amid economic headwinds. Experts predict the 2024 divorce rate could reach 2.6 per 1,000 people, rising from a pandemic low of 2.0. For context, Japan reports 1.5, and South Korea 1.8 per 1,000 people.
Demographers attribute this rise primarily to economic strain. As household incomes falter, and job security deteriorates—especially for young people—familial tensions intensify, often ending in separation.
One poignant example is Zhou Minghui from Shenzhen, who finalized her divorce after confronting disastrous financial losses caused by her ex-husband’s risky stock market investments. They lost nearly 4 million yuan over three years, forcing the sale of their family home and leaving hefty debts unpaid.
Financial Struggles Undermine Marriages Nationwide
There’s a sharp contrast in divorce rates across regions too. Wealthier coastal cities report fewer divorces, while poorer inner and northern areas see higher numbers, reinforcing the link between financial health and marital stability.
This trend has revived after a temporary dip in divorces during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was partly due to service shutdowns and the introduction of the 30-day mandatory cooling-off period. Now, the desire to separate conflicts directly with booking difficulties, as couples race to book appointments online.
Booking Agents Profit Amid Rising Demand
Services like Qin’s charge between 50 yuan to 999 yuan depending on demand and complexity. Since March, Qin has earned roughly 5,000 yuan, nearly half her monthly salary from her main job.
“With the economy slowing down, work pressures rise, and so do domestic conflicts,” Qin notes. Her predictions hint that divorce rates could continue climbing as financial stress mounts.
Implications for China’s Demographics and Society
Experts warn that rising divorces not only disrupt families but may also accelerate demographic challenges by discouraging childbirth. The government views family harmony as crucial to social stability, with recent official rhetoric stressing the importance of cohesive family units amid turbulent economic times.
What This Means for Couples
- Securing a divorce appointment online requires speed, precision, and timing.
- Demand far outpaces availability, making booking agents increasingly necessary.
- Economic strain often underlies marital breakdowns, reflecting broader social issues.
As China navigates these evolving dynamics, couples seeking divorce face procedural hurdles compounded by economic pressures—often prompting them to rely on informal agents to gain swift access to official channels.
